Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Christian McCaffery Give 49ers a Spark?
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Christian McCaffery Give 49ers a Spark?
Some storylines dominate NFL matchups. There are plenty of them here in this NFC West tilt on Sunday. We'll start with the head coaching battle. Kyle Shanahan has had Sean McVay's number in the regular season since the two have been coaching their respective teams. While Shanahan has not had massive success with his overall coaching record with the 49ers, he's had McVay's number in nearly every matchup against the Rams.
The Rams did manage to beat San Francisco in the NFC Championship game last postseason 20-17. However, it took a 13-0 fourth quarter to erase the deficit that the 49ers had built up during the second and third quarters. Fast forward to right now and it looks like Shanahan is due for another win. The Rams have a bottom-three offensive line that is also dealing with injuries, while Matthew Stafford's offseason elbow treatment does not appear to have been effective. An anemic rushing attack leaves star wideout, Cooper Kupp, with a high target share, which he has been able to convert into sustained production. Bobby Wagner, Jalen Ramsey, and Aaron Donald are the highlight of the 2022 Los Angeles Rams' roster, but they need to bring their A-game in every matchup to give the offense a chance.
San Francisco and Los Angeles have lost two of their previous three games played. Will Shanahan extend his winning streak against McVay in the regular season? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game in Inglewood between the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers.
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Rams vs. 49ers Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Sunday, October 30
- Game Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Rams vs. 49ers Odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +1.5 (-110), San Francisco -1.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under/Over 43.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles (+105), San Francisco (-125)
Click Here for Rams vs 49ers Odds
Rams vs. 49ers Injury Report
Rams
Questionable: CB Troy Hill (Groin), QB John Wolford (Neck), DB Cobie Durant (Hamstring), WR Van Jefferson (Knee), DT Bobby Brown III (Suspension)
Out: RB Cam Akers (Personal), C Brian Allen (Knee), T Joe Noteboom (Achilles), G David Edwards (Concussion), G Coleman Shelton (Ankle), RB Kyren Williams (Ankle), CB Jordan Fuller (Hamstring)
49ers
Questionable: WR Deebo Samuel (Hamstring), DL Arik Armstead (Foot)
Out: FB Kyle Juszcyzk (Finger), DT Javon Kinlaw (Knee), CB Emmanuel Moseley (Knee), DB Jimmie Ward (Hand), QB Trey Lance (Ankle), RB Elijah Mitchell (Knee), CB Jason Verrett (Knee)
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Prediction
The injuries are starting to pile up for most teams in the league, but the Rams and 49ers are especially crippled by the number of key players unavailable due to their health. Even the Rams are without their top running back, Cam Akers, who is disgruntled and requesting a trade leading up to the trade deadline. San Francisco beat Los Angeles with a lucrative offer to acquire star running back Christian McCaffery, which didn't result in a win against Kansas City but still showed plenty of promise.
The positive momentum in Los Angeles stems from the Rams being fresh off of a Bye Week while earning its third win of the season against a short-handed Carolina Panthers team in Week 6. San Francisco has not been playing their brand of football, which is pounding the football in a zone-blocking scheme. Jimmy Garoppolo has been forced to attempt 30-plus passes in three consecutive games, resulting in a 1-2 record. This includes a bad road loss against Atlanta, where the 49ers were completely shut out in the second half.
The 49ers won 24-9 against the Rams back in Week 4 in front of a home crowd that saw Deebo Samuel rip off an explosive touchdown against the Los Angeles secondary. The real problem stemmed from Nick Bosa and the rest of San Francisco's defense wreaking havoc in the backfield, finishing with seven sacks that led to two turnovers. The turnover battle is important in every single NFL game but with two teams struggling to consistently put points on the scoreboard, it becomes imperative toward earning a win.
Let's look at a few statistics that could sway the way we bet the lines in the second matchup between these two NFC West rivals. The 49ers have covered the spread in eight of their previous ten matchups against NFC opponents while winning seven of their last eight games against the Rams. Stafford needs to have success for Los Angeles to split this series. The 49ers will be without three defensive backs and possibly two of its top-tier defensive linemen, but Darrell Henderson is not enough to expose the lack of talent in the trenches due to terrible play from his offensive linemen.
This game will boil down to how the 49ers' offense performs against the Rams' defense. McCaffery invigorates an offense that already has wide running lanes opened up regularly and is backed up by Jeff Wilson, who looked great as the RB1 in Week 5. Garoppolo attempted 27 passes during the win, playing turnover-free football while feeding the backfield 22 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. I expect Shanahan to dial up 30-plus carries for his running backs, opening up play action and bootleg pass attempts to generate chunk plays downfield.
It's a tight spread at 1.5 points in either direction. The 49ers have only won one road game this season against Carolina, while the Rams are 2-2 at home with unconvincing wins against Atlanta and Carolina. San Francisco has better personnel and historically dominates this matchup in the regular season, which makes me want to take the 49ers at -1.5. At -110, this is good value, especially with McCaffery being deployed as Shanahan's new weapon within a talented offense.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Pick
- San Francisco -1.5 -110. Bet $100 to collect $191. Best odds available at DraftKings (click here)
Article Author
Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.