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49ers vs. Rams NFL Thursday Night Football Betting Odds, Picks: Can San Francisco cover as a short underdog?

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The first Thursday Night Football game of the 2026 season heads Down Under with an NFC West showdown between the L.A. Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. It’s a real treat for the Aussies, who get one of the best rivalries in the sport.

Opening kickoff from Melbourne Cricket Ground is set for 10:35 a.m. local time/8:35 p.m. ET, streaming on Netflix in Canada. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favourite with the total pegged at 48.5.

With this week’s Thursday Night Football SGP, I’m expecting San Francisco to use the ground attack to slow things down in a lower scoring game.

Here’s what I have for a four-leg parlay price at +900:

  • Spread: San Francisco 49ers +3.5 (-108)
  • Game total: Under 48.5 (-110)
  • Christian McCaffrey 50+ rushing yards (-225)
  • Kyren Williams anytime touchdown (-135)

You can also take a look at our full 49ers vs. Rams game preview and score prediction here.

Make sure to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of NFL game odds, NFL futures and NFL specials.

Spread: 49ers +3.5

L.A. holds the edge in this head-to-head series with straight up wins in four of the last five meetings. However, in 19 games in the Sean McVay vs. Kyle Shanahan era, the Rams are just 8-11 SU with only four wins by four or more points.

These teams are also going with opposite approaches when it comes to travel. The Niners are going the tried-and-tested route by arriving in Melbourne almost a full week before kickoff. That should give the team much-needed time to adjust and acclimate their bodies to a 17-hour time difference.

Meanwhile, the Rams are gambling by arriving just one day before the game. L.A. is banking on the team being able to get a full night’s rest sleeping on the 15-hour flight, which I’m skeptical about.

Divisional games are typically close, especially between these rivals. Give me the points.

Total: Under 48.5

Oddsmakers are clearly doing their job because I have it pegged as close to a coin flip on the total, with a lean toward the Under.

In my mind, San Francisco’s clearest path to victory is to control possession with their ground attack. They need to give a healthy Christian McCaffrey the ball and not let Matthew Stafford sling.

The Rams have also upgraded their pass rush which should keep the 49ers in check through the air. San Fran’s offensive game plan is likely to run the ball and focus on short passing routes.

We’re also talking about the first game of the season and historically, defences gel quicker than offences at the start of the year.

Combine all that with the unpredictability of how a marathon travel schedule will impact these players and I see a recipe for a low scoring game.

Player props: Christian McCaffrey 50+ rushing yards, Kyren Williams anytime touchdown

McCaffrey is a workhorse for the Niners and I think Shanahan will unleash him early as Mike Evans continues to learn the offence and how to click with Brock Purdy.

When it comes to the Rams, Kyren Williams is the undisputed lead back and he’s an underrated option in the air.

Week 1 against a tough divisional opponent is all about doing the simple things well. McCaffrey should eat up 50 rushing yards no problem, while Williams is an easy pick to finish a short-yardage score.