NFC West Showdown as Rams Visit 49ers on TNF
Thursday Night Football kicks off Week 3 of the NFL regular season when the Los Angeles Rams visit the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC West showdown. The current line has Los Angeles favored by 3 points with the over/under point total sitting on 40.
Entering this game, Los Angeles on the season is 1-1 straight up and against the spread. This will be the Rams first road game. San Francisco on the season is 0-2 SU and 1-1 ATS. At home, the 49ers are 0-1 SU and ATS.
Last season, San Francisco was 2-14 but both their wins were against Los Angeles. However, this season it appears after two games that the Rams have a much better team than last year.
Last Sunday, the Rams lost 27-20 to Washington, while San Francisco was beaten by Seattle 9-6, despite a strong effort. This game might not draw as much interest as other Thursday games, but will be very competitive.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff opened the season with a strong game in Week 1 with over 330 yards passing, while in Week 2 that number dropped to 224. Rams back Todd Gurley rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown in the losing effort.
Defensively, Los Angeles held Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins to just 179 yards through the air, but gave up 229 yards on the ground. However, defensive tackle Aaron Donald returned after a holdout and will play more this week than he did on Sunday.
San Francisco will not outscore many teams in the NFL but its defense looks strong. After two games, the 49ers have scored just 12 points and have yet to score a touchdown.
The 49ers have faced two straight tough defenses in Carolina and Seattle, so things should be easier against the Rams on Thursday. The bright spot on offense was the 124 yards rushing by running back Carlos Hyde.
Defensively the 49ers sacked Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson three times and linebacker NaVorro Bowman recorded 10 tackles to lead the team.
Hyde is the only offense the 49ers have and he will not be enough against the Rams. At the same time, for the Rams Goff is playing better than last season and Gurley is a top back in the league.
Los Angeles is 1-8 in its last 9 games played.
San Francisco is 1-7 in its last 8 games at home.
Prediction: The Rams will have enough offense in this matchup to cover the number.
