The San Francisco 49ers journey to Los Angeles on Thursday night time hoping an injury-riddled offense can maintain up in opposition to the Rams’ ninth-ranked protection.
Los Angeles has produced 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss by means of 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 can even be with out large 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 p.c of the spread-line cash is backing Los Angeles. The Rams’ -500 moneyline has additionally drawn one-sided motion with 88 p.c of the whole bets and 89 p.c of the cash.
The Rams have received 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 in opposition to groups that entered with a profitable file.
PROP PICKS
–Below 45.0 Complete Factors (-112 at BetRivers): Not solely is the 49ers’ offense decimated by accidents on the talent positions, however every of the Rams’ previous 5 video games as dwelling favorites have gone below the whole factors line.
–Rams RB Kyren Williams Anytime TD (-175 at DraftKings): Williams has scored not less than one landing in 9 consecutive dwelling video games in opposition to NFC groups. For these searching for an even bigger payout, Williams has scored the primary TD in 5 of his previous six dwelling video games — and Williams scoring the primary TD on Thursday is being supplied at +360.
RETURN OF THE MAC
It will mark Purdy’s third absence in 4 video games as a result of damage. He was initially damage throughout a Week 1 contest in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks and aggravated the damage throughout final week’s 26-21 dwelling loss in opposition to 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 apply participant all week.
Jones is keen to take the sector in opposition to the Rams’ protection.
“I feel the way in which they play and their mindset,” Jones stated of what impresses him. “There are at all times 11 guys on the display they usually have a fantastic line of defense. They play a number of protection schemes.
“It may be a problem. I am impressed with them so I am unable to wait to go in opposition to them.”
Purdy remained hopeful Tuesday however might see his hopes beginning to slide.
“I haven’t got as many days to get proper and heal up and really feel higher,” Purdy stated.
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 are a actually well-rounded soccer staff, at all times 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 massive problem for us, however a number of credit score to them as a result of they’ve completed 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 staff’s 5.0 sacks up to now have come from now-injured defensive finish Nick Bosa. Alternative Bryce Huff has 2.0 as properly, however the 49ers will likely be hard-pressed to position the constant stress wanted to generate the a number of turnovers its beleaguered offense desperately wants. –Rams 23, 49ers 16
–Area Stage Media