49ers vs. Rams Betting Odds, Player Props, Best Bets: L.A. To Roll?

At first glance, tonight’s clash between NFC West rivals San Francisco (3-1) and the Rams (3-1) looks an evenly matched battle between two of the top teams in the NFC.

The Rams’ only loss came to the Eagles in a game they led big in Week 3, while the 49ers entered their Week 4 matchup with the Jaguars at 3-0.

But L.A. is heavily favored tonight, as the 49ers are without a number of key players, especially offensively. We’ll dive into the latest 49ers vs. Rams injury news and how the former’s mounting injuries affected the betting odds for this game, but with Brock Purdy among several top offensive players out for SF, oddsmakers expect L.A. to roll.

Will the Rams be too much for the shorthanded Niners, or will Mac Jones improve to 3-0 in relief of Purdy this year?

How To Watch 49ers vs. Rams

• Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. EDT
• TV: Prime Video

49ers vs. Rams Odds: Spread, ML, Total

The Rams opened as just 3.5-point favorites.

As several key 49ers players were downgraded from questionable to doubtful — and then from doubtful to out — this week, the line moved dramatically in L.A.’s favor, settling at Rams -8.5 as of Thursday afternoon.

The total has also dropped throughout the week, and it is now one of the lowest totals of any of the 14 matchups taking place this weekend.

49ers vs. Rams Betting News, Analysis

San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams Injury News

The most logical starting place for a breakdown of this game is the visitors’ lengthy list of unavailable players. In addition to Purdy returning to the sidelines after missing Weeks 2 and 3, then starting vs. the Jaguars last Sunday, WR Brandon Aiyuk and TE George Kittle are also out long-term. They’re just two of a handful of top players who are out tonight.

Other key pieces that San Francisco has already ruled out include starting wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as reserve WR Jordan Watkins.

The Rams will likely be without starting tight end Tyler Higbee (doubtful, hip) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (doubtful, ankle). But L.A. otherwise enters this game healthy, and it’s hard to overstate how much closer the Rams are to full strength than their opponents in this contest.

A look at the NFC West standings right now indicates that this division is wide-open, but at DraftKings, the Rams are -110 to win the division, followed by the 49ers (+230), the Seahawks (+380) and the Cardinals (+1900).

In DK’s “make the playoffs” market, it’s worth noting that the Rams are -400 to return to the postseason, while the 49ers (-220) and Seahawks (-140) are also currently projected to be playoff teams.

Best 49ers vs. Rams Player Prop Bet

Blake Corum Over 31.5 rushing yards (-112 at FanDuel) — 1 unit

In a matchup that could get one-sided in a hurry, especially if the potent Rams offense gets off to a strong start, I’m bullish on a big game by L.A. RB Blake Corum.

The second-year backup to Kyren Williams was quiet in Week 1 (1 carry for 2 yards, 1 catch for 14 yards), but he was productive on limited touches in both Weeks 2 and 3 (5 carries for 44 yards in Week 2, 8 carries for 53 yards in Week 3). Corum got a career-high nine carries in last Sunday’s win over the Colts and only averaged 2.3 yards per carry.

I like him to bounce back tonight, though, especially given the strong possibility that the Rams will be playing most of this game with a lead and looking to pound the rock against a middle-of-the-pack San Francisco run D (one that will not be as effective without Nick Bosa on the field).

Case in point: last Sunday, in the Niners’ first game since Bosa was lost for the rest of the season, they allowed 151 yards on 32 carries to the Jaguars. While SF bottled up Trevor Lawrence and backup Bhayshul Tuten, it gave up 124 yards on just 19 carries to Jags starter Travis Etienne.

49ers vs. Rams Prediction, Best Bets

While both of last year’s meetings between these teams were close, I don’t think the current version of the Niners is going to be terribly competitive vs. many good teams, let alone the likes of the Rams.

At the risk of oversimplifying things, I’m bullish on a big night by the Rams’ defense. Unless the 49ers offense drastically exceeds expectations, it’s going to be a matter of time before the San Francisco D wears down, even if it manages to contain the Rams in the early going.

If you’re looking to go against the grain, I don’t think taking the 49ers to keep it close early is a terrible idea. For me, though, a double-digit win by the Rams wouldn’t surprise me at all, so I recommend laying the home team to cover at -8.5.

If there’s another play I like in this one, it’s the first-half under, as the San Francisco offense will likely struggle early, if not from start to finish.

• Rams -8.5 (-105 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
• First-Half Total: Under 22.5 (-105 at FD) — 1 unit

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