The NFC West is a crowded race to begin the 2025 NFL season, as anticipated, however two of the groups atop the division are in very totally different locations. Each the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers sport 3-1 data coming into Week 5, which they will kick off on “Thursday Night time Soccer.” But just one is working with momentum.
The Rams simply took care of enterprise in opposition to an upstart contender within the Indianapolis Colts, with extensive receiver Puka Nacua producing at a document tempo as Matthew Stafford’s prime goal. Sean McVay’s offense now ranks No. 4 within the NFL by way of yards per recreation, shifting the ball up and down the sector with the likes of the Buffalo Payments and Detroit Lions, all however cementing themselves as a heavyweight within the NFC.
The 49ers, in the meantime, are battling a barrage of accidents, not so not like a few of coach Kyle Shanahan’s hardest seasons atop the employees in San Francisco. Massive names like George Kittle and Nick Bosa are sidelined indefinitely, however loads of others are newly banged up as nicely, together with quarterback Brock Purdy, who aggravated a toe damage in a sloppy Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Are the 49ers set for an uphill battle, hitting the street on a brief week? It certain appears that manner. However that is nonetheless must-see TV contemplating the implications for the NFC West race. Here is all the things you might want to know:
The place to observe Rams vs. 49ers stay
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 2 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
- Stream: Prime Video
- Comply with: CBS Sports activities App
- Odds: Rams -8.5; O/U 44.5 (by way of DraftKings Sportsbook)
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Key questions
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- What’s Kyle Shanahan’s plan at quarterback? This goes past the mere availability (or lack thereof) of Brock Purdy, who’s now injured himself in two of the 49ers’ first 4 video games and has been dominated out. Now that Mac Jones is getting one other begin instead of Purdy, is he ready to counter the Rams’ go rush? Jones is way more of a pure pocket passer than Purdy, who makes use of his legs to increase the motion, so near-instant releases might be key.
- Can San Francisco lastly set up the run? Extra vital than which quarterback is underneath heart may be whether or not Kyle Shanahan can get his sometimes vaunted floor recreation going. Christian McCaffrey is wholesome, however he is had valuable little house with which to function; he is averaging simply 3.3 yards per carry, a career-low, by means of 4 video games, with zero rushes of 20+ yards. Even with Brian Robinson Jr. additionally in tow as depth, that spells bother in opposition to Los Angeles, which enters Thursday’s contest ranked tenth in run protection.
- Will anybody gradual Puka Nacua? Regardless of battling accidents at cornerback, the 49ers have really fared moderately nicely defending the go in 2025, surrendering a mean of simply 165 yards per recreation by means of the air. Nacua, nevertheless, is nearly resistant to tight protection, deploying rugged physicality and elite chemistry with Stafford to win as a short-area goal machine. He is on tempo to interrupt data after securing a whopping 42 passes for 503 yards by means of the primary 4 video games. And here is the true squeeze for San Francisco: Even when they discover a strategy to match up on Nacua, the 49ers can be tasked with protecting Davante Adams underneath wraps, too.
X issue to observe
The Rams’ protection will get a whole lot of credit score for its youthful entrance, headlined by trench warriors like Jared Verse, Byron Younger and Kobie Turner. However the again finish of Los Angeles’ “D” is arguably simply as fierce thanks largely as a consequence of Curl’s rangy patrolling at security. The previous Washington Commanders starter, who joined the Rams by way of free company previous to final season, is off to a career-best begin within the secondary. He advantages vastly, after all, from the push L.A. will get up entrance, however if you happen to’re searching for a veteran able to profiting from any wayward throws from the 49ers’ battered quarterback spot, it is this man. Do not be shocked if he finds the ball on a crucial play.
Rams vs. 49ers prediction, choose
Accidents are virtually synonymous with the 49ers underneath Shanahan, and sometimes, they’ve are available in such dramatic streaks that they find yourself derailing San Francisco altogether. That hasn’t occurred simply but, however we might be mendacity if we mentioned we weren’t gravely involved in regards to the 49ers even earlier than they suffered their first lack of the 12 months. Touring to Los Angeles for a street date with the Rams on a brief week is just about the other of what they want proper now, particularly with Purdy out once more, not to mention taking advantage of an ailing supporting solid that sorely misses security valves like Kittle.
Does all this imply the 49ers haven’t any shot to steal one? In fact not. It is the NFC West, keep in mind. Something can occur. McVay is 3-0 in his final three matchups with Shanahan, nevertheless, and this time he is acquired a completely loaded arsenal in comparison with deploy on the SoFi Stadium turf, with Nacua and Adams giving Stafford a few of the greatest weapons he is had in years. This simply seems like a chance for them to get a clear lead within the division, showcasing their offensive firepower whereas getting after a depleted 49ers lineup earlier than an extended break.
Choose: Rams 26, 49ers 17 | Rams -8.5, Below 44.5
