Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (11/15/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Matchup Preview (11/15/21)

It doesn’t feel like it, but the 49ers have lately had the Rams’ number with four straight wins for San Francisco. The two sides have not played this season, however, and they are headed in opposite directions as the Niners sit in the basement of the NFC West at 3-5, and the Rams are vying for a top playoff spot in the NFC at 7-2. Can the Rams bounce back from arguably their worst showing of the season in a loss to the Titans last week? Or will the 49ers finally get their first win of the season at home?

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Odds

The Trends

• Rams are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games after a straight up loss
• 49ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 0-4 ATS at home this season
• Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings between these teams
• Under is 4-1 in the Rams’ last 5 games in November
• Under is 4-1 in the 49ers’ last 5 games as an underdog
• Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings between these teams in San Francisco

The Pick

A Week 10 game against a floundering 49ers’ team provides an awesome opportunity for the Rams to bounce back. Matthew Stafford’s ankle is an ongoing concern and it’s unclear if Von Miller will be ready to play in this game, but the Rams have a more talented, deeper roster overall than the 49ers. At some point, regression to the mean will come in terms of the 49ers’ inability to win at home. However, that isn’t coming this week, and I’m riding the Rams in primetime to get back in the win column.

My predictions: Rams win 26-20, Rams cover, under 49 points

TV Schedule

Date: Monday, November 15
Time: 8:15 PM ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, CA
TV Coverage: ESPN

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Live Stream

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Injuries

Los Angeles Rams: QB Matthew Stafford (ankle) Q, OLB Von Miller (ankle) Q, TE Jacob Harris (knee – ACL + MCL) IR, TE Johnny Mundt (knee – ACL) IR
San Francisco 49ers: S Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) Q, DT Maurice Hurst (calf) Q, OT Mike McGlinchey (quadriceps) O

Los Angeles Rams Analysis

Matthew Stafford has to be considered one of the top MVP candidates this season as he’s performed very well in his first year in Los Angeles. He leads the league with 2,771 passing yards and has thrown 23 touchdowns to six interceptions with a league-leading 111 passer rating (minimum 125 passing attempts). Stafford tweaked his left ankle last week, but it doesn’t sound like it’s too severe of an issue, and he should be able to play this week. His connection with Cooper Kupp has driven one of the best offenses in football as Kupp is an early frontrunner for Offensive Player of the Year with 74 catches for 1,019 yards and ten touchdowns. Robert Woods has produced more lately, and Tyler Higbee has had some decent games, but the Rams’ inability to play 12 personnel – two tight ends – has hurt their versatility. Season-ending injuries to Johnny Mundt and Jacob Harris have underscored this issue as the Rams have played more 3-wide sets than anyone this year.

The Rams have yet to debut Von Miller since acquiring him in a trade last week, but their defense is already one of the best in the NFL. Despite facing the third-most passing attempts this season, the Rams rank fifth in the NFL in pass defense DVOA per Football Outsiders. LA has 28 sacks this season, the most in the league, as Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd have been dominant in the pass rush. Darious Williams is back in the lineup, but Robert Rochell, a fourth-round rookie, showed incredibly well as a starter in his place. The safety duo of Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp has also been excellent. The Rams have allowed 21.8 points per game, the eleventh-fewest in the NFL, but that has happened despite facing some great offenses along the way. When Miller gets in the lineup, LA should have an even better defense.

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Sony Michel
WR1: Cooper Kupp
WR2: Robert Woods
WR3: Van Jefferson
TE1: Tyler Higbee
TE2: Brycen Hopkins

San Francisco 49ers Analysis

Jimmy Garoppolo has been playing much better football lately as he’s registered his highest PFF grades in Week 8 and 9 and has a total QBR of 76.8 over the past two weeks, the third-highest over that period. Trey Lance hasn’t taken a snap since Week 5, and it doesn’t seem likely that the rookie will be taking over anytime soon. Brandon Aiyuk has started to emerge along with Garoppolo’s strong play, and the second-year wideout has ten catches for 134 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks. George Kittle got back in the lineup last week and went over 100 yards, and with Deebo Samuel one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL this season, the Niners have a strong core of pass-catchers. The Niners’ offensive line is going to be in for a rough go of it without right tackle Mike McGlinchey who suffered a season-ending torn quadriceps, particularly with Trent Williams still banged up.

Defensively, the Niners haven’t been the same force this season as we’ve seen in recent years. They’ve allowed 25.3 points per game, the eighth-most in the NFL, as the secondary has struggled to cope with injuries to Jason Verett, Jaquiski Tartt, and Jimmie Ward. Nick Bosa has seven sacks through eight games and is on the shortlist for best edge rushers in the NFL, but the Niners rank 25th in the NFL in Football Outsiders’ adjusted sack rate. The inconsistent pass-rush outside of Bosa has limited the upside of the defense with the secondary struggling to compete. The 49ers rank 6th in run defense DVOA, limiting opposing run games, but they rank 25th in pass-defense DVOA and have struggled to slow down opposing passers all season.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1: Elijah Mitchell
RB2: JaMycal Hasty
WR1: Deeebo Samuel
WR2: Brandon Aiyuk
WR3: Mohamed Sanu Sr.
TE1: George Kittle
TE2: Ross Dwelley

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Daily Fantasy Picks

I don’t see this as being a crazy high-scoring game, but there can be some substantial fantasy value to go around. George Kittle is an exciting pivot as a captain, with everyone focusing on Deebo Samuel and Cooper Kupp, particularly as the Rams allow the 12th-most fantasy points to TEs. Keep an eye on Matthew Stafford’s injury, but he should have a very productive passing game. I’m interested in playing him and Robert Woods in a lineup as it’s a nice pivot off Cooper Kupp. Darrell Henderson has touchdown upside, but I wouldn’t make him my captain given the difficult matchup. Elijah Mitchell has plenty of value, but the game script may not be favorable for him if the 49ers are playing from behind for most of the game. For that reason, JaMycal Hasty carries some intrigue as a flier who is the pass-catching back on the team.