Dec 12, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) runs with the ball as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) defends within the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Pictures The San Francisco 49ers journey to Los Angeles on Thursday evening hoping an injury-riddled offense can maintain up towards the Rams’ ninth-ranked protection.
Los Angeles has produced 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss by its 3-1 begin. San Francisco additionally enters 3-1, however will flip to backup Mac Jones for an important NFC West matchup with quarterback Brock Purdy sidelined by his nagging turf toe damage.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The 49ers’ offense may even be with out broad receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle), Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jordan Watkins (calf), with Brandon Aiyuk and tight finish George Kittle already on injured reserve. That has led to the Rams being a consensus 9.0-point favourite as of Thursday afternoon.
The road is 8.5 factors at BetRivers, the place 79 % of the spread-line cash is backing Los Angeles. The Rams’ -500 moneyline has additionally drawn one-sided motion with 88 % of the overall bets and 89 % of the cash.
The Rams have gained 15 of their previous 16 video games as favorites, whereas the 49ers have didn’t cowl the unfold in 13 of their previous 14 video games towards groups that entered with a profitable file.
PROP PICKS
–Beneath 45.0 Whole Factors (-112 at BetRivers): Not solely is the 49ers’ offense decimated by accidents on the ability positions, however every of the Rams’ previous 5 video games as residence favorites have gone beneath the overall factors line.
–Rams RB Kyren Williams Anytime TD (-175 at DraftKings): Williams has scored at the least one landing in 9 consecutive residence video games towards NFC groups. For these on the lookout for an even bigger payout, Williams has scored the primary TD in 5 of his previous six residence video games — and Williams scoring the primary TD on Thursday is being supplied at +360.
RETURN OF THE MAC
This can mark Purdy’s third absence in 4 video games because of the damage. He was initially damage throughout a Week 1 contest towards the Seattle Seahawks and aggravated the damage throughout final week’s 26-21 residence loss towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones began in Weeks 2 and three when Purdy was sidelined. Jones injured a knee throughout Week 3 however is now wholesome and was a full follow participant all week.
Jones is raring to take the sector towards the Rams’ protection.
“I feel the way in which they play and their mindset,” Jones mentioned of what impresses him. “There are all the time 11 guys on the display screen and so they have an incredible line of defense. They play quite a lot of protection schemes.
“It may be a problem. I am impressed with them so I am unable to wait to go towards them.”
Purdy remained hopeful Tuesday however may see his hopes beginning to slide.
“I haven’t got as many days to get proper and heal up and really feel higher,” Purdy mentioned.
INJURY REPORT
Together with Jennings, Pearsall and Watkins, 49ers defensive finish Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) additionally was declared out after not practising this week.
San Francisco defensive lineman CJ West (thumb) is questionable. He was a restricted participant on Wednesday.
Tight finish Tyler Higbee (hip) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) are listed as uncertain for the Rams. Neither participant practiced this week.
THEY SAID IT
“I feel they seem to be a actually well-rounded soccer crew, all the time have been. Once we play them, it is a bare-knuckles bodily combat. They’re gonna attempt to run the ball proper at you, play-action it excessive, and on protection, they’re gonna line up, know precisely what they’re in and simply attempt to out-physical you. So it is a large problem for us, however quite a lot of credit score to them as a result of they’ve executed a heck of a job with some accidents alongside the way in which early on.” — Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, on dealing with the 49ers.
PREDICTION
San Francisco enters with the league’s sixth-ranked protection, however 2.0 of the crew’s 5.0 sacks so far have come from now-injured defensive finish Nick Bosa. Alternative Bryce Huff has 2.0 as nicely, however the 49ers might be hard-pressed to position the constant strain wanted to generate the a number of turnovers its beleaguered offense desperately wants. –Rams 23, 49ers 16
–Subject Stage Media
