49ers vs. Rams Point Spread: NFL Week 2 Odds, Prediction
The Rams’ victory snapped a seven-game straight up losing streak on the road, as well as a five-game overall losing streak when facing NFC West divisional rivals. The 49ers return to the coast after handing Pittsburgh a decisive 30-7 defeat last weekend, extending their current straight up win streak in regular season action to 11 games.
The 49ers arrive in LA perched as 8-point favourites on the NFL Week 2 odds, but have commanded just 53 per cent of the betting action. The Rams lag as +276 home underdogs in their bid to win two in a row for the first time since Week 3 of last season, while the total has held steady since opening at 44.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at SoFi Stadium marks the first of two regular season meetings between these NFC West rivals. The 49ers swept last year’s season series including a 31-14 win in Los Angeles as 1-point underdogs, and have now topped the Rams in eight straight regular season matchups since 2018, and covering the spread seven times over that stretch.
Recent dates between these teams have tended towards low scoring, with the total topping 45 just twice during the Niners’ head-to-head win streak. Despite the 49ers’ dominance at the sportsbooks, the Rams have managed to keep things close, with two of their recent home losses to San Francisco coming by just three points.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers made a statement in last weekend’s rout of the Steelers. The Niners forced Pittsburgh to punt or turn over the ball on each of their first five possessions while racking up an early 20-0 lead they would not relinquish. Brock Purdy silenced his critics in his return from offseason elbow surgery, tossing for 220 yards and two scores, and tossing 13 passes for first downs. Brandon Aiyuk was on the receiving end of both scoring passes, and racked up 129 yards, while Christian McCaffrey scampered for 152 yards and one score.
The Niners’ defence was equally impressive, limiting the Steelers to just 239 yards while recording a pair of picks. The defence also slammed the door on a Steelers drive into the red zone, forcing Pittsburgh to turn over the ball on downs on their only push inside the Niners 30-yard line after recess. The Niners managed to get the job done without injured tight end George Kittle, who remains limited at practice with a groin injury.
Los Angeles Rams
Little was expected of the Rams in Week 1, as the team visited Seattle without receiver Cooper Kupp. However, that did not slow down quarterback Matthew Stafford, who compiled 334 passing yards while rushers Cam Akers provided all the scoring the team needed with three total scoring runs. The Rams’ offence was not without any shortcomings. Brett Maher missed one field goal attempt and had another one blocked, snapping a stretch of 12 straight successful attempts.
Maher was also called on to make field goals on three second-half drives that were effectively shut down by the Seahawks defence. That is a trend the Rams must reverse against a ferocious 49ers defence that so easily dominated in Pittsburgh last week, and remains eager to atone for their brutal performance in last season’s NFC Championship game loss to Philadelphia.
SF
LAR