The San Francisco 49ers travel to Los Angeles on Thursday night hoping an injury-riddled offense can hold up against the Rams’ ninth-ranked defense.
Los Angeles has produced 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss through its 3-1 start. San Francisco also enters 3-1, but will turn to backup Mac Jones for a crucial NFC West matchup with quarterback Brock Purdy sidelined by his nagging turf toe injury.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The 49ers’ offense will also be without wide receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle), Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jordan Watkins (calf), with Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle already on injured reserve. That has led to the Rams being a consensus 9.0-point favorite as of Thursday afternoon.
The line is 8.5 points at BetRivers, where 79 percent of the spread-line money is backing Los Angeles. The Rams’ -500 moneyline has also drawn one-sided action with 88 percent of the total bets and 89 percent of the money.
The Rams have won 15 of their past 16 games as favorites, while the 49ers have failed to cover the spread in 13 of their past 14 games against teams that entered with a winning record.
PROP PICKS
–Under 45.0 Total Points (-112 at BetRivers): Not only is the 49ers’ offense decimated by injuries at the skill positions, but each of the Rams’ past five games as home favorites have gone under the total points line.
–Rams RB Kyren Williams Anytime TD (-175 at DraftKings): Williams has scored at least one touchdown in nine consecutive home games against NFC teams. For those looking for a bigger payout, Williams has scored the first TD in five of his past six home games — and Williams scoring the first TD on Thursday is being offered at +360.
RETURN OF THE MAC
This will mark Purdy’s third absence in four games due to the injury. He was initially hurt during a Week 1 contest against the Seattle Seahawks and aggravated the injury during last week’s 26-21 home loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones started in Weeks 2 and 3 when Purdy was sidelined. Jones injured a knee during Week 3 but is now healthy and was a full practice participant all week.
Jones is eager to take the field against the Rams’ defense.
“I think the way they play and their mindset,” Jones said of what impresses him. “There are always 11 guys on the screen and they have a great defensive line. They play a lot of defense schemes.
“It’s going to be a challenge. I’m impressed with them so I can’t wait to go against them.”
Purdy remained hopeful Tuesday but could see his hopes starting to slide.
“I don’t have as many days to get right and heal up and feel better,” Purdy said.
INJURY REPORT
Along with Jennings, Pearsall and Watkins, 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) also was declared out after not practicing this week.
San Francisco defensive lineman CJ West (thumb) is questionable. He was a limited participant on Wednesday.
Tight end Tyler Higbee (hip) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) are listed as doubtful for the Rams. Neither player practiced this week.
THEY SAID IT
“I think they’re a really well-rounded football team, always have been. When we play them, it’s a bare-knuckles physical fight. They’re gonna try to run the ball right at you, play-action it over the top, and on defense, they’re gonna line up, know exactly what they’re in and just try to out-physical you. So it’s a big challenge for us, but a lot of credit to them because they’ve done a heck of a job with some injuries along the way early on.” — Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, on facing the 49ers.
PREDICTION
San Francisco enters with the league’s sixth-ranked defense, but 2.0 of the team’s 5.0 sacks to date have come from now-injured defensive end Nick Bosa. Replacement Bryce Huff has 2.0 as well, but the 49ers will be hard-pressed to place the consistent pressure needed to generate the multiple turnovers its beleaguered offense desperately needs. –Rams 23, 49ers 16
