The 49ers won’t be able to win the NFC West on Thursday night, but they can stay in the race for another week.

Every year, the Los Angeles Rams make their way to Levi’s Stadium for a season-ending game where both teams fight for their postseason survival.

The Rams earned a 44-42 shootout victory over the Buffalo Bills, while the 49ers finally put together a good performance with a 38-13 victory over the woeful Chicago Bears.

At 6:7, the 49ers could secure second place with the Rams. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks enter their Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers with a division lead of 8-5.

“I know there’s been talk of desperation around the building since the game last Sunday,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said.

“I haven’t really talked about it much because I felt like that had been the case for the last few weeks. It just didn’t work out the way you wanted.”

Everything has to come together on Thursday night and for the rest of the season if the 49ers want to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

And here are five players to keep an eye on as the 49ers try to get back to .500 this season:

CB Renardo Green

In the first meeting between these teams, the Rams played without their two best wide receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

Instead, it was Tutu Atwell who came up big with four catches for 93 yards.

Shortly thereafter, rookie cornerback Renardo Green replaced Isaac Yiadom in the 49ers’ nickel defense.

This may be Green’s biggest challenge this season as he will be playing a lot and facing off against Kupp or Nacua in many different situations.

Kupp averages seven catches and 73 yards per game, while Nacua averages 6.8 catches and 88.5 yards.

It will be a big test for Green, who will be the full-time starter on the 49ers’ defense next season.

LT Jaylon Moore

With All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams out of the lineup for the fourth straight season, the 49ers will once again turn to Jaylon Moore to take over the starting role.

Moore is a fourth-year player who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. He could attract attention if he continues to play well.

This will be Moore’s 10th career start and his fourth career-high in a season.

The Rams will face Moore with a balanced and well-rounded front that includes Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Jared Verse, who have combined for 15.5 sacks.

Moore must suppress quarterback Brock Purdy’s blind side protection to give him enough chances to move the ball down the field.

S Ji’Ayir Brown

Safety Ji’Ayir Brown started each of the 19 games in which he appeared before last week.

Brown was on the sideline as the starters were introduced for the Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears. The 49ers chose rookie Malik Mustapha and Talanoa Hufanga at the safety positions.

Brown is expected to be back in the starting lineup on Thursday as Mustapha is sidelined with chest and shoulder injuries.

Brown’s second NFL season was marked by inconsistency. The 49ers need him to be a long-term starter, but he needs to prove to them that he is a reliable option.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to exploit any weakness in the 49ers’ defensive backfield, so Brown will have to be up to the challenge.

WR Deebo Samuel

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel admitted he was frustrated with his poor performance this season. He took to social media to express that he had no “problems” and felt like he wasn’t getting enough opportunities.

He should get plenty of opportunities on Thursday since running back Isaac Guerendo suffered a sprained ankle following the 49ers’ win over the Chicago Bears.

Samuel’s communication with coach Kyle Shanahan and Purdy is open and both want him to get the ball in situations where he can make a difference.

“I want Deebo to do Deebo things,” Purdy said. “I love my husband and will do everything I can to give him the ball.”

Samuel will get some handoffs where he hasn’t found much scope this season. He’s averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and has just 11 catches for 85 yards in the last four games.

LB Dre Greenlaw

The 49ers opened the practice window for linebacker Dre Greenlaw on November 27th. He took part in a full practice session on Wednesday and appears ready for his season debut.

Greenlaw hasn’t stepped on the 49ers’ field since the Super Bowl, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon after registering three tackles in the game’s first 12 plays.

Greenlaw is set to make his return against the Rams, a game in which the 49ers are clinging to a slim playoff hope.

And he won’t just return to action.

Greenlaw and the 49ers defense will face Rams running back Kyren Williams, the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher with 1,013 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The 49ers expect Greenlaw to help bolster the team’s third- and red-zone defenses and bring unmatched passion and aggression to a defense that needs strengthening.

The 49ers need a boost of energy, and Greenlaw will do his part to provide it on Thursday night.

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