Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Preview: Stafford, Rams Should Roll in San Fran in OBJ’s Debut

If you have put any of your NFL betting bankroll on the San Francisco 49ers, this is a rough stretch. Can the 49ers save their season? Their postseason hopes are far from done, but they need wins, starting with tonight’s MNF matchup with the Rams.

The 49ers opened the season with back-to-back unconvincing wins over the Lions and Eagles. Perhaps that should have been a warning for what was about to come. They have faltered as the competition has stiffened and enter tonight’s game with five losses in their last six games.

The Rams are coming off of a home loss to the Tennessee Titans, but they have largely fulfilled expectations. Tonight, we will get to see if new acquisition Odell Beckham Jr. can make an instant impact. Will he play a key role in helping the Rams tie the Cardinals atop the NFC West ladder? Or will the home team capture a valuable win to close out Week 10?

Los Angeles Rams (7-2) vs San Francisco 49ers (3-5), ESPN, 8:15 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Betting Odds

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Rams -178
• San Francisco 49ers +150

Total

• OVER 50.5 (-110)
• UNDER 50.5 (-110)

Spread

• Los Angeles Rams -3.5 (-108)
• San Francisco 49ers +3.5 (-112)

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Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Betting Picks

Check out our Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers NFL betting picks, betting stats, and other Rams vs 49ers matchup info here: Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Matchup: NFL Betting Picks, Odds, Stats and More

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Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Best Bet

Los Angeles Rams -3.5

It’s been a rather topsy-turvy stretch for the Rams. Eight days ago, they were stunned by the Titans. Then on Thursday, they signed OBJ, beating out the Packers for the three-time Pro Bowler. OBJ was supposed to link up with the Rams’ deep receiving corps, but that group took a hit on Friday as second-leading receiver Robert Woods tore his ACL in practice.

With Woods out, Beckham should get his share of opportunities to make an instant impression, though he isn’t the only one likely to benefit from the enforced change in the depth chart (more on that later). The opposition makes this a favorable situation as well. The 49ers allow only 206.5 passing yards per game, which is one of the best totals in the league.

But yards are a deceiving category. They are tied with the Jets for the fewest interceptions (two), are tied for 24th in sacks (18), and 26th in opponent passer rating (102.0). Matthew Stafford had a rough evening against the Titans, getting sacked a season-high five times, throwing two interceptions for the first time this season–on back-to-back possessions–and averaging a season-low 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Look for a big response tonight.

NFL Betting Props for Matthew Stafford vs San Francisco 49ers

• Passing Yards: OVER 281.5 (-110), UNDER 281.5 (-110) – Stafford has had over 281.5 passing yards six times this season. The were 251, 278, and 280.
• Pass Completions: OVER 25.5 (-106), UNDER 25.5 (-120) – Stafford has hit the over 25.5 four times this season.
• Pass Attempts: OVER 37.5 (-102), UNDER 37.5 (-130) – Stafford has hit the over 37.5 four times this season.
• Touchdown Passes: OVER 2.5 (+144), UNDER 2.5 (-186) – Stafford has thrown for three or more touchdowns five times this season.

With Tennessee’s three-touchdown second quarter putting the Rams down 21-3 at halftime, the ground game was a non-factor in the second half. But look for Darrell Henderson to have a solid night, especially with San Fran’s run defense in mind. Over their last three games, the 49ers have given up 487 rushing yards (on over 4.5 yards per carry) and six rushing touchdowns. The Rams are unlikely to run it as many times as the Colts, Bears, or Cardinals did, but Henderson will be productive.

Can the 49ers Do Enough to Stay in the Game?

Forcing turnovers and making Stafford uncomfortable are the only way that the 49ers will have a chance tonight. The Titans did that last week, and the Cardinals did in their Week 4 win. Stafford averaged only 6.8 yards per attempt against Arizona, his second-lowest total of the season (8.1 YPA vs the Lions, his former team, in Week 7, is third). Also, the Cardinals won the turnover battle, forcing two turnovers and remaining blemish-free on their side.

Part of why the 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV two seasons ago was because they did forced turnovers and harassed QBs, but there is little reason for optimism in that area now. They have only five takeaways all season and as mentioned above, they are at the low end of the league in sacks.

Worse yet, they have issues with ball security, as they are tied for seventh in the NFL with 14 giveaways. That is thanks in large part to their eight fumbles, a total that ranks third in the league. In last week’s 31-17 loss to the Cardinals, they turned it over three times, twice on first-half fumbles on the other side of the 50. Instead of being more in the game or even ahead, the 49ers trailed 17-7 at the break.

When you turned it over three times and allowed five sacks in your previous game, the Rams are not the ideal opponent. They are third in sacks (28) and fourth in interceptions (12), so the outlook is not positive for Jimmy Garoppolo. He does have consecutive 300-yard games for only the second time in his NFL career, but it looks like it will be a long night for him and the 49ers even if he has another productive game yardage-wise.

NFL Betting Prop Watch #1: Van Jefferson OVER 49.5 Receiving Yards

Yes, OBJ should have a few balls thrown his way tonight. But the biggest immediate beneficiary of the unfortunate injury news will be a guy who was already there. With Woods out, Jefferson’s opportunities and value increase. Making the most of his opportunities in this situation could be very valuable for his future. Look for the ball to go his way early and regularly.

NFL Betting Prop Watch #2: Darrell Henderson OVER 67.5 Rushing Yards

I liked his props last week and got burned due to the Rams being forced to go away from the run in the second half. Henderson had 55 yards on 11 carries and would have ended up with a nice stat line had the game remained close. So I am going back to the well this week and backing Henderson to have a good game. His four-game touchdown streak ended against the Titans, but he is -140 to find the end zone at any point tonight. I like those odds, but the value with his rushing yards is better.

Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Score Prediction

Los Angeles Rams 34, San Francisco 49ers 19