LA Rams (7-2) at San Francisco (3-5)
When: Monday, November 15th 2021
Where: Levi’s Stadium,
Santa Clara, CA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -3/47
It’s do-or-die time for the freefalling San Francisco 49ers this week when they get set to host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Levi’s Stadium has not been kind to the home team, as the Niners have lost 12 of their last 13 there including all four this season. San Francisco started out with two road wins, but have won only one game since – a 33-22 road win at Chicago on Halloween. Last week’s 31-17 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals was even more frustrating considering they didn’t have to face Kyler Murray. A loss to the Rams on Sunday would all but eliminate the 49ers from playoff contention and maybe they can move on from Jimmy Garoppolo and insert Trey Lance permanently. After all, they did move up in the Draft to take him.
The Rams are in a battle with the Cardinals atop the NFC West standings and suffered a bad home loss last week to the Tennessee Titans, playing without star running back Derrick Henry. A last minute touchdown made the 28-16 score look closer than it really was. L.A. made a big move this week in acquiring three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. to give Matt Stafford another weapon. The signing came one day before wideout Robert Woods was lost for the season after getting injured in practice Friday. Beckham has 504 career receptions for 7,062 yards and 51 touchdowns in 88 career games. San Francisco took both games in 2020, winning at Levi’s Stadium 24-16. Garoppolo threw three touchdowns with no turnovers, while George Kittle caught seven passes for 109 yards and a TD.
Its yet another prime time game for the Rams, who are looking to rebound from last Sunday night’s disaster against Tennessee. Stafford had his worst game since being traded from Detroit with back-to-back terrible interceptions in the second quarter, one returned for a touchdown. He still leads the league with 2,771 passing yards and ranks second with 23 touchdown passes. The Rams rank fourth in total offense (399.3 yards per game) and fifth in scoring offense (29 points per game). Cooper Kupp leads the team with 74 catches, 1,019 yards and 10 receiving TDs. Future Hall of Fame pass-rusher Von Miller, acquired from Denver last week, didn’t play vs. Tennessee due to a minor injury but should debut here. The defense ranks 12th overall (348.2) and seventh against the run (99.6).
The Niners had a great opportunity to get back to .500 but couldn’t get the job done against a Murray and DeAndre Hopkins-less Cardinals team at home. Arizona gashed San Fran’s defense for 437 yards against what is supposed to be a good unit. Niners Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle returned from a long injury absence with six catches for 101 yards and a TD. Garoppolo threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns with an interception on 28-of-40 completions. Garoppolo and Kittle should have success against a Rams defense that is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 67.71 percent of their passes. Starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey suffered a torn quadriceps last week and will miss the season. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (knee sprain) and safety Tavon Wilson (foot) are expected to miss some time as well.
The Rams should bounce back in a big way this Monday night against a team who just can’t seem to win at home. L.A. is on a 13-4 ATS run after a loss and bounced back earlier this season after an ugly loss to Arizona to win at Seattle.
Pick: Rams -3.5
Week 10 Staff Selections
