The Los Angeles Rams (3-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (3-1) in the first game of Week 5 on NFL Thursday Night Football on Oct. 2. Kickoff for TNF from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on Prime Video
The Rams are 8.5-point favorites over the 49ers on the spread (Rams -8.5), with the over/under set at 44.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -450 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while San Francisco is +350 to pull off the upset.
Continue below for our 49ers vs Rams picks for Thursday Night Football, which include predictions for the spread, over/under, and three player props.
49ers vs Rams Picks & Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|
  | 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
| 8:15 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NFL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Thursday Night Football Odds
- 49ers vs Rams Moneyline: 49ers +350, Rams-450
- 49ers vs Rams Spread: 49ers +8.5 (-105), Rams -8.5 (-115)
- 49ers vs Rams Total: 44.5
49ers vs Rams odds via bet365
49ers vs Rams Spread Prediction
By Billy Ward
The story of Thursday Night Football is the plethora of injuries that have piled up for the 49ers.
With the short week, they’ve decided to not take any chances with Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Persall, all of whom played in some capacity while struggling through injuries last week.
That leaves their offense extremely limited — they were already missing Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. The only healthy skill-position player is (surprisingly) Christian McCaffrey, who is second in the NFL in targets while also averaging more than 17 carries per game.
While that’s probably unsustainable long term, with an extended rest following this week and reinforcements arriving soon, there’s no reason not to ride McCaffrey tonight. That’s enough to make the 49ers offense somewhat functional, especially with their offensive line relatively healthy.
On the other side of the ball, the 49ers defense has allowed less than 19 points per game. They’ve also suffered some losses but not as much as on the offensive side, and at a minimum should be able to play “bend but don’t break” football that keeps things close.
Assuming they can get a big play or two from McCaffrey, that should be enough to cover the spread, which has climbed all the way to +8.5.
I’d consider waiting until closer to kickoff, though, as we could see it rise even more.
Pick: 49ers +8.5 (-105)
49ers vs Rams Over/Under Pick
I’ve had good luck playing NFC West unders this season and I am going to continue that process on Thursday night.
Christian McCaffrey is averaging just 3.3 yards per rush this season and Mac Jones will be without both Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings.
The Rams defense is 11th in DVOA, but boasts top-10 rankings in sack rate and pressure rate. The Niners offense has an uphill battle in front of them on a short week.
This may sound like I am predicting the Rams to win in dominant fashion, but the 49ers' defense can keep this in the game. Generating pressure sans Nick Bosa is a concern, but historically San Francisco has consistently found a way to get pressure on Matthew Stafford since he joined the Rams.
Trevor Lawrence averaged 5.6 yards per pass attempt against the Niners last week, and outside of one 48-yard carry from Travis Etienne, San Francisco played sound defensively versus the run, limiting the Jaguars to 3.3 yards per rush on their other 31 attempts on the ground.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been an underdog 20 times inside of the NFC West during his coaching career. He has covered the number at a 60% rate.
The 49ers will find a way to keep this game close despite the lack of output I project for their offense.
Pick: Under 45; Bet to Under 44.5
49ers vs Rams Player Props: Davante Adams
By Brit Devine
My bets of 2+ units are 17-5 to start the NFL season, and I are betting 2 units on Davante Adams to score a touchdown.
Adams has a TD in 3-of-4 games for the Rams, but more importantly, he is tied for the league lead in end-zone targets (nine), while teammate Puka Nacua doesn't have a target in the end zone all season.
It's clear what the Rams brought in Adams to do: be a touchdown machine for them while Puka moves the ball effortlessly down the field between the 20s.
To give an idea on how heavily Adams is being targeted in the end zone, last season, three players led the league in end-zone targets with 18. Adams has half of that total already in just four games.
I would play this to even money for 2 units.
Pick: Davante Adams Anytime Touchdown (+130); Bet to +100
49ers vs Rams Player Props: Christian McCaffrey
I think this prop is about two rushing attempts too low.
Christian McCaffrey is going to continue to lead the 49ers' backfield when healthy. He has seen 17 or more carries in three out of four games this season, and I think that is more around where he will end up week to week.
I would get this one before it elevates around the industry prior to kickoff on Thursday night.
Pick: Christian McCaffrey Over 15.5 Rush Attempts (-118; BetMGM)
49ers vs Rams Player Props: Kyren Williams
This is an awfully low number for a capable pass-catching back in Kyren Williams, who has had 17, 18 and 14 receiving yards in the last three games.
Williams has run a route on 48% of Matthew Stafford's dropbacks this season, while the Niners have already given up 19 receptions to running backs (11th most in the NFL).
Let's hope to get this one out of the way early in the game given the Rams are heavily favored tonight.
Pick: Kyren Williams Over 9.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
