Thursday Night Football in Week 5 showcases an NFC West showdown as the 49ers take on the Rams under the lights.
For my top 49ers vs RamsNFL PrizePicks and Underdog selections, I’m spotlighting Christian McCaffrey, Luke Farrell, and Puka Nacua to headline the primetime slate.
Christian McCaffrey
Less Than 16.5 Rushing Attempts
The 49ers come into this short week decimated by injuries; they are missing their starters at every skill position besides running back.
That leaves Christian McCaffrey to carry the load offensively, but with a trailing game script expected, we likely won't see him do much work on the ground.
In the two starts Mac Jones has made this season, McCaffrey has averaged 15 carries, but they came against far inferior run defenses than the Rams.
The Rams are eighth in rushing yards allowed, so if they commit to slowing down CMC early in the game while their offense builds a lead, we should see San Francisco be forced to abandon the ground game.
Luke Farrell
More Than 5.5 Receiving Yards
The bevy of injuries to the 49ers' offense has opened up opportunities for guys often overlooked, and we can capitalize on that by backing tight end Luke Farrell.
Since George Kittle went down in Week 1, Jake Tonges and Farrell have split time at tight end.
While Tonges has gotten the majority of snaps and targets, Farrell has found ways to get involved. He's averaged 1.5 targets per game and has an 87 percent catch rate on the season.
With those receptions, he's averaged 7.2 yards per catch. If he gets one reception, it's very likely he will exceed this total, and, as we went over above, the trailing game script should only increase his chances of seeing more targets.
Puka Nacua
Less Than 95.5 Receiving Yards
For our last pick, we turn our attention to the NFL's leading receiver, Puka Nacua.
Nacua has been on a tear to start the 2025 season, leading the league in receiving yards by a wide margin.
He's achieved this by capitalizing on an impressive target share, averaging 12.5 targets per game and boasting an 84 percent catch rate. However, if there's a game for him to take a small step back, it's this one tonight.
Nacua is the one guy the 49ers can't let beat them, and we should see them do everything they can to contain him. This will open up things for others in the offense, but the 49ers should limit Nacua, as they are seventh in receiving yards allowed.
Plus, we could see the Rams' passing volume decline if they can pull away in the second half.
