The San Francisco 49ers (6-7) are slight 2.5-point favorites as they host their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams (7-6), on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium. Let’s try and find some value in the NFL Vegas odds.
What? NFL Week 15: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers Head To Head
Over their last five encounters, the San Francisco 49ers hold a slight edge over the Los Angeles Rams, winning three of the matchups. Against the spread, however, the Rams have matched that 3-2 record, showcasing competitive performances. Four of these games saw the combined score exceed the projected total, highlighting high-scoring contests. During this stretch, the 49ers accumulated 129 points, while the Rams managed 94.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams hold a 6-7-0 record against the spread this season and have gone 3-4 in games as moneyline underdogs. They’ve been more productive offensively at home, averaging 25.0 points per game compared to 20.5 on the road. Defensively, however, they’ve struggled more at home, allowing 26.4 points per game, whereas their road defense has been slightly better, conceding 24.5 points on average. Within divisional matchups, the Rams have averaged 21.0 points per game, falling short of their 23.5 average against non-division opponents. On the defensive side, they’ve allowed 28.3 points per game in division games. This is higher than their 24.7 average against the rest of the league. Recently, Los Angeles has seen an uptick in scoring, averaging 28.3 points per game over the last three weeks (eighth in the NFL), but their defense has been a concern. They’ve given up 31.0 points per game, the third-worst in the league during that span.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco has covered the spread five times this season (5-8-0) and has played 11 games as the moneyline favorite, securing a 6-5 record in those contests. The 49ers have been more productive offensively at Levi’s Stadium, averaging 26.9 points per game at home compared to 20.0 on the road. Their defense also performs better on home turf, allowing just 20.1 points per game versus 27.8 in away games. Within the division, San Francisco has been more efficient, posting 25.0 points per game compared to 23.1 outside of it. However, defensively, their divisional average of 23.8 points allowed per game is slightly higher than the 23.7 allowed against non-divisional opponents. Over their last three outings, the 49ers rank 25th in both scoring offense, averaging 19.3 points per game, and scoring defense, conceding 28.7 points per game.
49ers vs. Rams Prediction And Betting Picks
The Rams managed to secure a victory over the 49ers in Week 3, even without their standout receivers, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. This time around, both Kupp and Nacua are set to play, giving Los Angeles a significant boost. Meanwhile, the 49ers face a mounting injury crisis, with several players from Week 3—Brandon Aiyuk, Jordan Mason, Javon Hargrave, and Kevin Givens—unavailable for this matchup. Additionally, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams are also at risk of missing the game. While San Francisco remains mathematically in the playoff hunt, the Rams are firmly within striking distance of postseason contention. With their playoff hopes fueling them and the 49ers missing critical contributors, the Rams are poised to deliver a spirited performance against a depleted San Francisco squad.
Los Angeles Rams +2.5San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.