Another crucial San Francisco–Los Angeles battle goes down in SoCal Sunday, but this one for all the wrong reasons. Now it’s early, but the loser of the matchup will likely finish the day in the basement of the NFC West. Both clubs are going through some difficult early-season injuries too which makes a win Sunday even more important.

The 1-1 49ers got humbled at Minnesota last week and are now down running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel for the next couple weeks. L.A. is winless on the season and now without receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua; and offensive linemen Steve Avila, Joe Noteboom, and Jonah Jackson; and defensive backs John Johnson and Darious Williams. Reminder, it’s Week 3.

Kickoff at SoFi Stadium goes at 4:25 p.m. EDT with the 49ers a touchdown favourite on the road and the over-under at 44.5 on the NFL odds.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Both the 49ers and Rams are coming off losses in which they failed to reach 20 points. Injury woes won’t do any favours for those looking to smash team and player overs, although the one mainstay with both clubs thus far is they’re getting good production at running back. Jordan Mason’s reached 100 rushing yards in back-to-back outings while serving as McCaffrey’s fill-in. And while Kyren William’s yards per carry has plummeted with the offensive line injuries in L.A., Williams has still managed to find the end zone in both weeks so far.

Head-to-head the 49ers own the Rams, and more specifically Kyle Shanahan over Sean McVay. San Fran is 9-2 outright in their last 11 meetings with Los Angeles and have covered in seven of their last nine battles. The 49ers are also 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games overall, but it’s safe to assume the 49ers faithful will be extremely loud and proud down at SoFi on Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers

It’s now time to see what Brock Purdy can do under centre without All-Pros surrounding him. Without McCaffrey and Samuel, the 49ers still have the likes of Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle as pass-catchers but the former’s already seeming to receive extra attention. Aiyuk’s 71 yards through two weeks by no means reflects the worth of his $120-million contract he nearly sat out to get, making him the prime target to get going this weekend.

Week 3 appears to be the week for safety Talanoa Hufanga to return from his ACL injury suffered last last November. Hufanga was a full participant in practice Wednesday and his addition is great news for an already-strong defensive unit the 49ers may need to lean on in these coming weeks.

Los Angeles Rams

It’s “signing dudes off the street” time for the Rams, which tells you everything you need to know about L.A.’s 0-2 start, and more importantly their injury report. The Rams brought in ex-Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (so former Matthew Stafford teammate) as right now the receiver depth chart reads Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, and Tutu Atwell. Kicker Tanner Brown has also joined the Rams to act as insurance for a banged up rookie kicker Joshua Karty.

The silver lining in all this mess is Stafford is still at quarterback, and McVay is still calling plays. If any two people are to drag the Rams out of the bottom of the NFC West, time and time again these two pull off the impossible. What do they have in store for their latest trick?

Who Will Win 49ers vs. Rams?

• Regular Season

49ers Team Leaders

SF

Touchdowns	George Kittle 5
Rushing	Jordan Mason 609
Passing	Brock Purdy 1629
Receiving	George Kittle 28
Sacks	Kevin Givens 3.5
Interceptions	Fred Warner 2

LAR

Touchdowns	Kyren Williams 7
Rushing	Kyren Williams 360
Passing	Matthew Stafford 1238
Receiving	Colby Parkinson 19
Sacks	Kobie Turner 3
Interceptions	Jaylen McCollough 1

• Regular Season

Rams Team Leaders

SF

Touchdowns	George Kittle 5
Rushing	Jordan Mason 609
Passing	Brock Purdy 1629
Receiving	George Kittle 28
Sacks	Kevin Givens 3.5
Interceptions	Fred Warner 2

LAR

Touchdowns	Kyren Williams 7
Rushing	Kyren Williams 360
Passing	Matthew Stafford 1238
Receiving	Colby Parkinson 19
Sacks	Kobie Turner 3
Interceptions	Jaylen McCollough 1

Weather

temp	75
condition	sunny
wind	Southwest 4mph

Injuries

San Francisco

Jordan Mason (RB)

day-to-day Shoulder - 11 / 10 / 24

Malik Mustapha (S)

day-to-day Ankle - 11 / 10 / 24

Matthew Wright (K)

day-to-day Shoulder - 11 / 10 / 24

Jordan Mason (RB)

Ques Thurs Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24

Malik Mustapha (S)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 10 / 10 / 24

Jordan Elliott (DL)

day-to-day Knee - 08 / 10 / 24

Talanoa Hufanga (S)

Out indefinitely Wrist - 08 / 10 / 24

George Kittle (TE)

Prob Thurs Ribs - 08 / 10 / 24

Charvarius Ward (CB)

day-to-day Knee - 08 / 10 / 24

Fred Warner (LB)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 08 / 10 / 24

L.A. Rams

Jordan Whittington (WR)

Ques Oct 20 Shoulder - 08 / 10 / 24

Kamren Curl (S)

Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24

Braden Fiske (DE)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 07 / 10 / 24

Matthew Stafford (QB)

Ques Sun Back - 07 / 10 / 24

Demarcus Robinson (WR)

Ques Sun Groin - 01 / 10 / 24

Conor McDermott (OL)

day-to-day Undisclosed - 27 / 09 / 24

Bobby Brown III (NT)

Ques Sun Ankle - 19 / 09 / 24

Kevin Dotson (OL)

Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 09 / 24

Cobie Durant (CB)

Ques Sun Toe - 19 / 09 / 24

Derion Kendrick (DB)

Out indefinitely Knee - 17 / 09 / 24

Injuries

San Francisco

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jordan Mason (RB)	day-to-day	Shoulder - 11 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Mason has suffered a sprained AC joint injury, and it is up in the air if he will bounce back in time against the Chiefs on October 20th.
Malik Mustapha (S)	day-to-day	Ankle - 11 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Mustapha is hampered by an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Chiefs on October 20th.
Matthew Wright (K)	day-to-day	Shoulder - 11 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Wright is battling a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will suit up against the Chiefs on October 20th.
Jordan Mason (RB)	Ques Thurs	Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Mason is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will play Thursday against the Seahawks.
Malik Mustapha (S)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 10 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Mustapha is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Seahawks on Thursday.
Jordan Elliott (DL)	day-to-day	Knee - 08 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Elliott is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Chiefs on October 20th.
Talanoa Hufanga (S)	Out indefinitely	Wrist - 08 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Hufanga has been placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury, and he will miss an extended period.
George Kittle (TE)	Prob Thurs	Ribs - 08 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Kittle is fighting off a rib injury, but he is expected to be in Thursday's lineup versus the Seahawks.
Charvarius Ward (CB)	day-to-day	Knee - 08 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Ward is hampered by a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Chiefs on October 20th.
Fred Warner (LB)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 08 / 10 / 24	0-1	0-1	+ -
Warner is battling an ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will participate in Thursday's game versus the Seahawks.

L.A. Rams

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jordan Whittington (WR)	Ques Oct 20	Shoulder - 08 / 10 / 24	0-0	0-0	+ -
Whittington is managing a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Raiders on October 20th.
Kamren Curl (S)	Ques Sun	Back - 07 / 10 / 24	0-0	0-0	+ -
Curl is hampered by a back injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress against the Raiders on Sunday.
Braden Fiske (DE)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 07 / 10 / 24	0-0	0-0	+ -
Fiske is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will feature in the lineup against the Raiders on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford (QB)	Ques Sun	Back - 07 / 10 / 24	0-0	0-0	+ -
Stafford is hobbled by a back injury, and it is up in the air if he will participate against the Raiders on Sunday.
Demarcus Robinson (WR)	Ques Sun	Groin - 01 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Robinson is managing a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Packers on Sunday.
Conor McDermott (OL)	day-to-day	Undisclosed - 27 / 09 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
McDermott is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against Raiders on October 20th.
Bobby Brown III (NT)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 19 / 09 / 24	1-2	3-0	+ -
Brown is hampered by an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will partake in Sunday's game versus the 49ers.
Kevin Dotson (OL)	Ques Sun	Foot - 19 / 09 / 24	1-2	3-0	+ -
Dotson missed the previous game with a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Packers on Sunday.
Cobie Durant (CB)	Ques Sun	Toe - 19 / 09 / 24	1-2	3-0	+ -
Durant is nursing with a toe injury, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Sunday's game against the 49ers.
Derion Kendrick (DB)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 17 / 09 / 24	1-2	3-0	+ -
Kendrick is placed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.