Rams vs. 49ers Betting Odds, Picks and Predictions for Thursday Night Football
Week 5 gets underway Thursday with an NFC West matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Both teams have a 3-1 record, but injuries could play a key role in deciding who leaves this game 4-1. Let's look at the betting side of things and highlight three wagers to consider.
Mike Barner's season record: 13-11 (-0.24 units)
Rams vs. 49ers Betting Odds
Rams: Spread -7.5 (-105 FanDuel), -410 Moneyline (Fanatics)
49ers: Spread +8.5 (-105 ESPN Bet), +360 Moneyline (FanDuel)
Game Total: Over: 44.5 points (-115 DraftKings), Under: 45.5 (-110 BetMGM)
The 49ers will be extremely shorthanded for this game. QB Brock Purdy (toe), WR Jauan Jennings (ankle) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) have all been ruled out. On the Rams side, TE Tyler Higbee (hip) is listed as doubtful.
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Rams vs. 49ers Betting Picks
Kyren Williams Over 16.5 rush attempts (-114 FanDuel Sportsbook) for 1 Unit
Williams set a new career high with 316 rushing attempts last season. Across his 16 games, he finished with 17 or more carries on 10 separate occasions. Backup RB Blake Corum has been a bit more involved this season, but that hasn't stopped Williams from racking up at least 17 carries in three of four games.
Williams dominated the 49ers last season. When he faced them in Week 3, he turned 24 carries into 89 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 15, he ran 29 times for 108 yards. With the 49ers missing so many key players, they could find themselves down big in the second half. If that game script unfolds, then Williams would have the potential to receive even more carries as the Rams look to run out the clock.
Demarcus Robinson 25+ receiving yards (-144 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 Unit
The 49ers are down to Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver. Moore has two targets this season and has played seven or fewer offensive snaps in three of four games. Valdes-Scantling was a healthy scratch last week, which doesn't bode well for his role moving forward.
Bourne is likely to step in as the 49ers' top wide receiver, but Robinson also has the potential for added targets. After sitting out the first three games of the season because of a suspension, he caught one of his two targets in Week 4. That reception went for 20 yards. In each of the last two seasons with the Rams, he had an average depth of target of at least 11.8 yards and averaged at least 14.3 yards per reception. With his big-play potential, it might only take him a couple of receptions for him to surpass this total.
Jake Tonges Over 2.5 receptions (-151 DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 Unit
Tonges has taken on a leading role at tight end with George Kittle (hamstring) out. Last week, he caught three of five targets for 58 yards and one touchdown versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over the last three games without Kittle, Tonges has received a total of 13 targets. That helped him post at least three receptions two times. In the lone game that he didn't meet that threshold, he finished with two catches.
Given the lack of options that the 49ers will have at wide receiver for this game, Tonges could be in line for added targets. Last season, the Rams were tied for the second-most receptions allowed to tight ends in the league. This year, they have already allowed 19 receptions to the position. There is a lot of juice here, but the over is still the way to go.
Rams vs. 49ers Prediction
The 49ers missing so many starters on offense puts them in a rough spot for a short week on the road. The Rams have already won both of their home games this year after posting a 5-4 record at home last season. With injuries also limiting them last season, the 49ers went 2-6 on the road. The Rams have an opportunity to win this in convincing fashion.
Rams 24, 49ers 13
