Below, bettors can find NFL odds and a Rams vs 49ers prediction for their Week 1 clash in Melbourne, Australia.
Rams vs 49ers: NFL Betting Odds
49ers vs Rams Prediction
Based on the Rams’ offseason additions on defense and how San Francisco produced offensive success against LA, my Rams vs 49ers prediction is the 49ers Under 21.5 Points.
San Francisco cleared this benchmark in both games against the Rams last year. But it should not go ignored that the 49ers faced an inconsistent secondary and dominated through the air.
Mac Jones started both contests for Kyle Shanahan. It did not matter one bit as the underlying metrics paint a strong picture of San Francisco’s scheme.
In Week 5, the 49ers recorded a +0.279 EPA per play and 57.7% dropback success rate. In Week 10, the offense leaped to a +0.521 EPA per play and 66.7% dropback success rate.
But I question if San Francisco replicates those metrics against an improved Rams defense.
Myles Garrett should help achieve what the Rams couldn’t last year vs. San Francisco: rush the passer. In Week 10, Los Angeles posted its second-worst PFF pressure grade of the season.
Both games saw LA regress from its season-long pressure average (84.0). Week 5 saw the Rams post a 70.7 grade while the aforementioned Week 10 game received a 61.3 grade.
Additionally, the Rams aggressively addressed their biggest weakness from last year.
Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson arrive from Kansas City to play corner. Compared to Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes, McDuffie and Watson offer extreme upgrades.
Both finished 32nd or better in PFF’s corner grades last year. In 2024, both finished 17th or better in PFF’s corner grades.
Comparatively, Durant and Forbes finished 40th or worse in the corner grades last year.
While San Francisco added Mike Evans to the receiver room, we already know they’ll be without Ricky Pearsall. Plus, it’s reasonable to assume a less-than-full-strength George Kittle.
Consistent across both matchups last year is San Francisco struggling to run the ball. Nothing has changed this offseason to lead me to believe they reverse that fortune.
Pair those factors with the extensive travel for a Week 1 game, and I predict the 49ers stay under this benchmark in Australia.
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