The 49ers are still alive for the NFC West crown despite sporting a 6-7 record. They are going to need help, as they have already played two games with the division-leading Seattle Seahawks, who are two games ahead with a 8-5 record.
The Rams have a 7-6 record, only one game back of the Seahawks, who they play in Week 18. It’s spicy for sure, and this Thursday night matchup has huge playoff implications.
These teams met way back in Week 3 when the 49ers won in Los Angeles by the score of 27-24. San Francisco racked up 425 yards of total offense with Brock Purdy going 22-of-30 for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Matthew Stafford was held to 221 yards and a touchdown, while the rushing attack was limited to 98 yards.
Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp all did not play in that one.
Nacua and Kupp are back for the Rams while the 49ers will either have Isaac Guerendo or Patrick Taylor at running back.
The Rams are healthy now and just defeated the Buffalo Bills, 44-42.
The 49ers lost to the Bills two weeks ago, 35-10, although it was cold and snowy in that one. They have been limping all season, and that’s how it will likely be down the stretch as well.
Not all is lost, though, as San Francisco should have Kittle and Samuel active. The Rams have been porous defending the pass, allowing the fourth-highest EPA per dropback
The 49ers pass defense has been good this season, posting the 10th-best EPA per dropback while allowing the second-fewest passing yards, but a Rams passing attack led by Stafford with a healthy Nacua and Kupp is an animal few can stop.
DraftKings Sportsbook has SF -3 over LAR at home with the total at 48.5.
As for Wednesday’s injury report, RB Isaac Guerendo and WR Demarcus Robinson are questionable. TE Tyler Higbee is out. Stay informed on the most recent updates at DK LIVE.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Thursday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (LAR @ SF)
Captain’s Picks
Brock Purdy ($14,100 CP): Purdy has six games with at least 20 FPTS this season, with four of those over 25. In Week 3 against the Rams, he put up 26.78 FPTS. The Rams are most vulnerable against the pass, allowing the fourth-highest EPA per dropback. The Rams should put up some points in this one, and I like the 49ers to tilt a little more towards the air due to the matchup and injuries at the running back position.
UTIL Plays
Jauan Jennings ($8,600): Jennings caught 11 of 12 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 3 meeting against the Rams. I’m not expecting a repeat of that performance, especially since both George Kittle and Deebo Samuel were out for that one. That said, Jennings has become an integral part of the passing game with Brandon Aiyuk out. Last week, he garnered eight targets. Jennings is more of a route runner and contested-catch player, while Deebo Samuel is more of a YAC monster.
Cooper Kupp ($10,000): I prefer Puka Nacua in a vacuum, but he’s $1,000 more expensive, and I like how a lineup with Kupp came out. Nacua received 14 targets last week and garnered 58 over the last five weeks. Kupp has received 42 targets over that same span, but Kupp can be “The Guy” on any given night. Over the last four games, he’s gone over 20 FPTS three times with a high of 31.6. The ownership will likely be higher for Nacua.
George Kittle ($8,000): Kittle has scored double-digit FPTS in all but two games this season. He’s gone over 20 FPTS six times. He received six targets in two of the last three games and should be heavily involved in this one.
Fades
Kyren Williams ($10,200): This is a scary fade because the 49ers rush defense hasn’t been stout and their 19 rushing touchdowns allowed is the second-most of all teams. In the Week 3 matchup, Williams rushed 24 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns while catching another touchdown. Due to salary restrictions, you just can’t play everyone. Kupp and Nacua didn’t play in the first meeting. If I think Purdy has success, then the Rams may tilt more towards the pass, and Williams isn’t heavily involved in the passing game.
THE OUTCOME
I like this to be a back-and-forth affair, with both passing attacks having success.
Final Score: 49ers 34, Rams 30
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $1.5M Thursday Night Showdown [$500K to 1st] (LAR @ SF)
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
