An NFC West rivalry will take centre stage in this week’s edition of Monday Night Football, when the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams (2-1), head to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers (1-2). These two teams will no doubt be battling it out all season for the divisional title, meaning the head-to-head matchups between the two are of the utmost importance. A loss here for the 49ers at home could prove costly, however they will get a quick chance at revenge in week 8, as these teams meet again in less than a month.
We continued our good form in prime time, with another winner on Thursday Night Football (Bengals -3), with our season record now sitting at 5-1-2 (+5.37u). Let’s see if we can get another winner here.
Ben Bridge brings you his best bets for the game!
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers Preview & Betting Tips
Levi’s Stadium, Tuesday 11:15am AEDT
Last Week
Both teams participated in low scoring affairs last week, with the Rams getting by the Cardinals in Arizona 20-10, before the 49ers lost a tight contest 11-10 to the Broncos in Denver.
The Rams have struggled to get going offensively so far this season, save for 2 and a bit quarters against a porous Falcons defence in week 2, and figure to struggle again this week against a 49ers side ranked 3rd in defensive DVOA this year. The Rams have also given up 7 turnovers in 3 weeks, good enough for 3rd most in the league. WR2 Allen Robinson is also struggling to get involved in the offense, with only 12 targets through 3 weeks. The Rams need Robinson to start living up to his price tag, and more importantly need him to start taking attention away from Cooper Kupp.
The 49ers were horrible last week against the Broncos; however, they were still in a position to beat the Broncos at the back end of that game. The 49ers lost the turnover battle 3-0, and without some questionable quarterback play from Jimmy Garoppolo late, surely would have been in a position to sneak home. The defence is elite, and if the 49ers can neutralise the play of Cooper Kupp this week, they stand every chance of victory.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams
David Long / Decobie Grant / Troy Hill (DB) – OUT
Brian Allen / David Edwards / Logan Bruss / Tremayne Anchrum (IOL) – OUT
Van Jefferson (WR) – OUT
Daniel Hardy / Travin Howard (LB) – OUT
San Francisco 49ers
Tarvarius Moore / Jason Verrett / Jimmie Ward (DB) – OUT
Trent Williams (OT) – OUT
Javon Kinlaw (DT) – QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Matthews / Tyler Croft (TE) – OUT
Trey Lance (QB) – OUT
Tyrion Davis-Price / Elijah Mitchell (RB) – OUT
Arik Armstead (DT) – QUESTIONABLE
Match Preview
As shown above, both teams have some cluster injuries, however these injuries are not enough to shift the number either way for mine. The biggest injury concern is for the 49ers, with All Pro left tackle Trent Williams out with an ankle injury. This is huge, with Jimmy Garoppolo’s blind side now under threat, with backup tackle Colton McKivitz set to start at left tackle. McKivitz debuted in the 49er’s week 18 victory last season over the Rams, where he allowed 2 sacks on 70 offensive snaps. He’s sure to be attacked in this game, so don’t be surprised to see him get plenty of blocking help from tight end George Kittle.
It appeared until the NFC Championship game last season that Kyle Shanahan had the wood over Sean McVay, with the 49ers having won 6-straight over the Rams. It looked as though it may have continued that way, with the 49ers leading the Rams 17-7 heading into the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for the 49ers, the Rams stormed home, with Cooper Kupp catching 11 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns, to claim the NFC Championship.
I’m leaning towards the Rams in this one, as I have this lined as a pick em’ with both teams fully healthy. With the loss of Trent Williams, I like the Rams even more in this spot. The 49ers will be desperate for a victory, given a loss will drop them to 1-3, however I see the Rams having too much on offense compared to the Jimmy Garoppolo-led 49ers. I also really like the unders in this one, with both teams leaning on their defence so far this year, and a familiarity between the teams lending itself to the unders.
Alternate Bet:
Under 43.5 - $1.91 @ Betfair
Los Angeles Rams H2H
$2.16 (1.5 Units)
