LA Rams (2-1) at San Francisco (1-2)
When: Monday, October 3rd 2022
Where: Levi’s Stadium,
Santa Clara, CA
Time: 8:15 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: San Francisco -1.5/47.5
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The San Francisco 49ers have dominated the Los Angeles Rams over the last several ‘regular’ seasons, but couldn’t solve them when it mattered the most last year. The Niners swept the Rams in 2021 including a come-from-behind 27-24 OT victory in Week 18 in Los Angeles that got San Francisco into the playoffs. They would meet again in the NFC Championship Game and the Rams prevailed 20-17 in what many thought would be Jimmy Garoppolo’s final game as a 49er. Garoppolo was terrible in the fourth quarter of that game and went on the trading block before finally being kept on as a backup for this year. Trey Lance began the season under center but went down with an injury in Week 2, propelling Garoppolo back into the starting role. It didn’t go well in an 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos last week, with Garoppolo leading the offense to a 1-for-10 third-down conversion rate with one interception and lost a fumble.
Matthew Stafford was 18-for-25 for 249 yards but no TDs in the win over Arizona last week, while Cam Akers and receiver Cooper Kupp each had a rushing score. It was Kupp’s ninth straight game with at least one TD and his first career on the ground. L.A. held the ball for only 26 minutes and were outgained by the Cardinals 365-339. Defensively, the Rams were without cornerbacks Troy Hill, David Long Jr. and Cobie Durant along with safety Jordan Fuller. That allowed Kyler Murray to pass for 314 yards on 37-of-58 completions. Aaron Donald had a sack to reach 100 for his career, the fastest defensive tackle in NFL history to reach that mark. Center Brian Allen (knee) will miss his third straight game for the Rams and guard David Edwards (concussion) was also ruled out.
Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle made his season debut off injury for San Francisco and was held to just four catches for 28 yards. One of the top tackles in the league, Trent Williams, injured his ankle and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair injured his knee and might miss eight weeks. Nick Bosa recorded a sack and now has one in every game this season. The defense forced the Broncos to punt 10 times, marking the most punts recorded by an opponent against the Niners in six years, but it still wasn’t enough. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot) was among the San Francisco players who sat out Thursday’s practice, but is hopeful to play Monday.
This is a coin-flip game, but I’m sticking with the recent trend of San Francisco in regular season matchups. Garoppolo wasn’t good last week, but I expect a bounce-back effort against a Rams defense that allowed Kyler Murray to have a field-day in Week 3. I’m calling for the 49ers to win by a field goal.
Pick: 49ers -1.5
