LA Rams @ 49ers Bet Builder tips
Los Angeles to win
Under 49.5 points
George Kittle anytime touchdown scorer
Brock Purdy over 247.5 passing yards
*This clash starts in the early hours of Friday morning
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Friday, 13th December, 1:15am
WHERE: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports NFL
LA Rams to win
I don’t think anyone believes the 49ers have found their groove because they feasted on Chicago last week.
What we’re seeing is an offense down to its bare bones, a defence that has lost confidence and a Super Bowl slamming shut in unceremonious fashion.
Granted this is a team now welcoming back its first-choice quarterback in Brock Purdy who showed no signs of rust last week – but they’re totally devoid of options.
Nobody heard of Isaac Guerendo, unless you were in a deep fantasy league, and now even he’s banged up, leaving them with a combination, potentially, of a fella called Patrick Taylor who sounds like a knock-off Jeremy Kyle – and Israel Abanikanda, of Hard Knocks fame.
The Rams went head-to-head with Buffalo, now they’re nearing full health, and the question has to be asked: why are they underdogs here?
Under 49.5 points
In the modern incarnation of these two teams, it’s clear the games are more tentative than their non-NFC West selves would show.
Of the last ten games contested between them, the regulation points tally has only exceeded this line twice – although the most recent meeting does account for one.
However, I can probably add, for context, Jauan Jennings benefitted back then from the return of Brandon Aiyuk, and the 49ers had Jordan Mason get 21 touches.
Neither of those stars are available, and a single player grabbing their three touchdowns is a wild outlier.
Now, you can play devil’s advocate and point out the Rams were dependent on Tutu Atwell rather than the receivers they have at their disposal on TNF.
But it’s not with them my uncertainty lies anyway. The 49ers won’t hold up their end of the bargain.
George Kittle anytime touchdown scorer
However, they’re entirely funnelling their offense through George Kittle now, and he’s some poor touchdown luck lately.
Kittle accounted for 151 of Purdy’s 325 passing yards at Chicago, but didn’t find the end zone. Even a simple regression to the mean should give you an edge here, particularly as they struggle against big-bodied tight ends. See: Jonnu Smith, Juwan Johnson, AJ Barner.
Brock Purdy – Over 247.5 Passing Yards
This certainly won’t be by design. Shanahan himself will tell you for the 49ers to be impactful, they need to marry a run game with a pass one, and that’s the only way their heavy play-action system operates.
But without a run game, Purdy is going to have to drop back time and again. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him throw 40 passes, because they do not possess a runner who is efficient with outside zone – the rushing attack they employ.
Given they need to win this game to stand a chance at the postseason, let alone the division, I think desperation could seep in, and cause chaos for the usually level-headed 49ers.
LA Rams @ 49ers betting tips
Los Angeles to win
Under 49.5 points
George Kittle anytime touchdown scorer
Brock Purdy over 247.5 passing yards
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All odds and lines quoted are accurate at time of publication but are subject to change
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