San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams Matchup Preview (1/9/22): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams Matchup Preview (1/9/22)

In the last week of the regular season comes one of the most exciting games of the year. A showdown between NFC West division rivals San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams that determines both teams’ fates. If the Rams win, they clinch the NFC West, if the 49ers win, they clinch an NFC wild card spot and go to the playoffs. This is a matchup that the 49ers have historic success with and have shut out the Rams since 2018. When these two teams faced off in week 10, the 49ers beat them 31-10 and the Rams were held to 278 total yards of offense. That being said, the Rams are now on a 5-game winning streak, contributing to their 12-4 record, and one of the best teams in the NFL. Their offense is steamrolling defenses through the hands of Cooper Kupp who is breaking a record virtually every week. The 49ers are coming off a win against the Texans where Trey Lance was under center and the rookie led them to victory. Starter Jimmy Garoppolo has been battling a thumb injury which put Lance in the starting role last week but head coach Kyle Shanahan is hopeful for Garoppolo’s return for week 18. Having a veteran play caller would be ideal circumstances for the 49ers in this game as they are going to need the best offense they’ve had all season to compete with this hot Rams team. 

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams Betting Odds

Rams are a 5-point home favorite in a projected 44.5-point game. Both teams are 8-8 ATS this year with tendencies to cover lately. While the Rams are 4-6 ATS in their last ten games, and at one point failed to cover in five straight games, they then went on a four game covering tear that puts them 4-1 ATS in their last five games. The 49ers have covered a staggering 70% of the time in their last ten games but have struggled to cover in their division, with a 1-4 record ATS in divisional games. Despite both teams having high scoring averages, neither are overwhelmingly good at hitting over their point totals. The Rams have hit the over every other time in their last seven games making it hard to count on them either way, and the 49ers are 7-9 at hitting the over this season. 

The Rams were the favorite when they met earlier this year and both teams contributed to falling nine points short of a 50-point projected total. Considering that both teams have hit their strides since their last meeting, I don’t see them suffering the same fate. The 49ers are certainly a playoff caliber team but the Rams are likely too hard of a team to beat, especially on their turf with a division title on the line. But the 49ers can’t be counted out and will give them a run for their money.

My predictions: Rams win 30-27, 49ers cover, over 44.5

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, January 9
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, CA
TV Coverage: FOX

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams Live Stream

Where can you watch 49ers vs. Rams online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch 49ers vs. Rams Free Online Now.

San Francisco 49ers Analysis

The biggest question going into this game is who will be their quarterback. Trey Lance finished last week 16 for 23 on 249 yards and two touchdowns – a pretty good showing for just his second start of the season. Though Shanahan has made it clear that Garoppolo is still very much his first choice, Lance proved to be a viable QB2 option. Elijah Mitchell finished last game with his fifth 100+ rushing yard performance and Brandon Aiyuk led the receiving game with 94 yards over four receptions. 

But nothing is more lethal on this offense than their wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel, who has seven rushing touchdowns over 320 rushing yards and 1,310 receiving yards for six touchdowns. He remains to be one of the biggest dual threat scorers in the league. George Kittle has also been a bright spot this year, tallying 900 receiving yards, but has been quiet as of late. This offense averages 126.9 rushing yards per game (thanks, Elijah Mitchell) and 371.1 total yards of offense. They average 25 points per game and have a 68% red zone scoring percentage, the highest in the league. 

They’re backed by a solid defense that allows the fifth fewest pass yards per game (206.8) and just 106 rushing yards per game, but give up one of the highest pass completion percentages in the league. Fred Warner leads the team in tackles with 129 and Nick Bosa is a sack machine and lethal to offensive lines. These two and the secondary held the Rams to 278 yards of total offense in their week 10 game. Their defense is great, but have 19 pass interference penalties this year and the most yards per penalty which should be a goal of theirs to fix if they want to make it to the postseason.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

QB: Jimmy Garoppolo
RB1: Elijah Mitchell
RB2: Jeff Wilson Jr
WR1: Deebo Samuel
WR2: Brandon Aiyuk
WR3: Jauan Jennings
TE1: George Kittle

Los Angeles Rams Analysis

Cooper Kupp is breaking NFL and franchise records left and right leading the league in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards. In his last game of the regular season, he needs 12 receptions and 135 receiving yards to break the single-season records in those categories. He’s had at least 12 receptions in nine games this year and has surpassed 135 yards twice, so it’s definitely not impossible. The 49ers have a solid secondary, but I don’t see them containing him as much as they did last time considering what’s at stake. 

The game plan all year for this team has obviously been a pass-heavy one (38 passing touchdowns), especially after running back Darrell Henderson Jr. found himself on the injured reserve. But Sony Michel has emerged as a good ground option for them, tallying 497 yards in his last five games with the Rams. Between him and Odell Beckham Jr., who has four touchdowns over 18 catches in the last five games, this offense has definitely found threats they’re comfortable with outside of Kupp. Their offensive line protects their play caller, allowing the third-least number of sacks, 25, on Stafford. In theory this should give Stafford more incentive to protect the ball but he’s tied for the second most interceptions in the league (15) which includes four pick-sixes. He has five interceptions in the last two weeks. While they’ve still pulled out wins in Stafford’s pick-heavy performances, teams in the playoffs will punish them for it. 

This team is almost as scary on defense as they are on offense. They have a ferocious defensive line who is second in the league in sacks with 47, led by Von Miller and Aaron Donald who have a tendency to terrorize offensive lines. They allow just 101.2 rushing yards per game and have Jalen Ramsey holding down the backfield with three interceptions and 15 passes defended. He holds it down alongside safeties Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp who have a combined four interceptions and 193 tackles. As a defensive unit, they’ve allowed just 15 passing touchdowns. They cause problems for offenses, but Deebo Samuel causes problems for defenses, so they’ll have their work cut out for them.

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: Matthew Stafford
RB1: Darrell Henderson Jr.
RB2: Sony Michel
WR3: Van Jefferson
WR2: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR1: Cooper Kupp
TE1: Tyler Higbee

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

Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel have the two highest projected points for this week among the wide receiver group, with a projected 15.1 points and 14.4 points, respectively. As two of the best receivers in the league, these should be locks on your fantasy team this week. 

If you think the ground game has promise in this game, then Sony Michel would be a good choice for the week – he ranks in the top 10 of running backs in fantasy points and is more under the radar as an RB2.