Rams at San Francisco: Who has the edge?
Injuries, what's at stake, key matchups, TV info, fantasy sleeper, prediction and what the Rams need to do in Sunday's regular-season finale in Santa Clara
RAMS (9-7) at 49ERS (12-4)
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
TV/Radio: FOX Ch. 11/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 231, 386
Line: 49ers by 4½
Notable injury designations
Rams: OUT: Duke Shelley (hamstring); DOUBTFUL: Aaron Donald (rest), Tyler Higbee (shoulder), Ernest Jones (rest), Cooper Kupp (rest), Joe Noteboom (foot), Matthew Stafford (rest), Kyren Williams (rest)
49ers: OUT: Arik Armstead (foot/knee), Ji’Ayir Brown (knee), Ross Dwelley (ankle), Tashaun Gipson Sr. (quadricep), Christian McCaffrey (calf), Ambry Thomas (hand); QUESTIONABLE: Jon Feliciano (back), Danny Gray (shoulder), Jauan Jennings (concussion), Ray-Ray McCloud III (rib)
What’s at stake? Playoff seeding for the Rams will be decided by the outcome of this game and the game between Green Bay and Chicago. If the Rams win or tie, they will maintain the No. 6 seed. If the Rams lose and the Packers win, the Rams will fall to the seventh seed. The Rams will be on the road in the first week of the playoffs regardless, and could face either the Lions, Eagles or Cowboys, depending on the results of their games.
Who’s better? The 49ers have been the favorite atop the NFC for the entire season and are the betting favorites to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVIII. They topped the Rams 30-23 in Week 2 and have beaten the Rams the last nine times they’ve faced in the regular season. With the top seed in the NFC wrapped up and a lot of the Niners’ key starters resting, the Rams could take advantage and reach double-digit wins.
Matchup to watch: The Rams offensive line vs. the 49ers defensive line. By all accounts, the starters for both units, with the exception of Rams offensive tackle Joe Noteboom, will play in the season finale. The Rams O-line has played better as of late but will face a huge test against Nick Bosa and company. The 49ers have also brought in midseason reinforcements on the defensive line, including 2020 second overall pick Chase Young and former Ram Sebastian Joseph-Day.
Rams win if: Rams backup quarterback Carson Wentz can reverse the fortunes of the regular-season record between the two teams over the past five years. Wentz is 3-1 against San Francisco over his career and has the most to gain from a strong performance. He’s fired up for the opportunity to prove he can still play in the league.
Fantasy sleeper: Tutu Atwell has taken a step back with the emergence of Demarcus Robinson, but with Kupp resting on the sidelines and Puka Nacua likely to be pulled from the game early, the window of opportunity is open for the third-year wideout. With Kupp on injured reserve to start the season, Atwell was a top wide receiver in terms of fantasy points scored in the first three weeks. He’s capable of connecting with Wentz on the long ball and breaking off a big play or two.
Prediction: Rams 23, 49ers 17