The San Francisco 49ers are on the road for the second straight week as they face their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon. San Francisco (1-1) fell in Minnesota, 23-17, while Los Angeles (0-2) got crushed by Arizona, 41-10. The teams split a pair of meetings during the 2023-24 season: a 30-23 49ers road win and a 21-20 Rams victory in Week 18.
Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. ET. San Francisco is a 7-point favorite in the latest 49ers vs. Rams odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points is 44. Before making any Los Angeles vs. San Francisco picks, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 187-130 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 41-22 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is WAY UP
Now, the model has set its sights on 49ers vs. Rams and just locked in its picks and NFL Week 3 predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for spread, money line and over/under:
- 49ers vs. Rams spread: 49ers -7
- 49ers vs. Rams over/under: 44 points
- 49ers vs. Rams money line: 49ers -331, Rams +263
- 49ers vs. Rams picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 49ers can cover
Playing on a short week in a tough Minnesota environment, the 49ers played far from their best game in Week 2. While quarterback Brock Purdy completed 28 of 36 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown, he also threw a costly interception in his own territory that led to a Vikings touchdown. Running back Jordan Mason has filled in more than admirably in Christian McCaffrey’s absence, rushing for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in both of the team’s games.
With wide receiver Deebo Samuel joining McCaffrey on the sidelines this week, Purdy will once again have to rely on WR Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle. After signing a new contract just before the season, Aiyuk has gotten off to a slow start, with only six catches for 71 combined in two games. Kittle, on the other hand, was excellent in Week 2, with seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Against a questionable Rams secondary, both players can be expected to perform well this week. See which team to pick here.
Why the Rams can cover
Los Angeles is in deep trouble, staring 0-3 in the face and mired in injuries galore to key players especially on offense. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp hurt his ankle last week and will join Puka Nacua on the sidelines for Week 3. Up front, the Rams are down at least three starting offensive linemen, which isn’t a good formula for quarterback Matthew Stafford to succeed.
For the Rams to keep it close, running back Kyren Williams will have to be a threat on the ground and through the air. While he has scored a rushing touchdown in both his team’s games, Williams only has 75 yards on 30 carries. In one game against the 49ers in 2023, the Rams’ star runner had 100 combined yards and two touchdowns. A similar effort is a must for Los Angeles to potentially pull the home upset. See which team to pick here.
How to make 49ers vs. Rams picks
The model has simulated 49ers vs. Rams 10,000 times and the results are in. It is leaning Under on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the model’s 49ers vs. Rams pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Rams vs. 49ers on Sunday, and which side of the spread is the better value value? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the Rams vs. 49ers spread you should be all over Sunday, all from the model on a 187-130 roll on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
