It’s Week 4 in the NFL and TheRX has all of the info you need to know about Monday’s game between NFC West rivals LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers, including the best betting picks for this matchup.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Monday, October 03, 2022 – 08:15 PM ET at Levi’s Stadium
Monday Night Football serves up a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game as two NFC West rivals meet with first place at stake in the Bay Area. The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, who won 20-17 in the NFC title game last year, head to San Francisco to face the 49ers.
Los Angeles is 2-1 and atop the West, despite being outscored by nine points this season. That’s thanks to a 31-10 blowout loss to Buffalo in the opener, followed by one-score wins over Atlanta and Arizona.
San Francisco is 1-2 and in a three-way tie for last in the division, despite outscoring its foes by 10 points so far. That’s the result of a 20-point home win over Seattle, sandwiched between a nine point loss at Chicago and a bizarre 11-10 loss at Denver on Sunday.
The Niners can catch the Rams for the division lead just shy of the one-quarter mark of the season, but it will require solving Los Angeles’ recent dominance of West opponents. The Rams have won 11 of their last 12 games against divisional opponents.
Quarterback Concerns
In his first game as starter once again, following a season-ending injury to Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo struggled on Sunday night. He accidentally stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety, which turned out to be the deciding points in a one-point decision. Still, that was the best result of a play that saw him throw a pick-six interception immediately after stepping out of the end zone.
Garoppolo also had an interception at midfield right before the two-minute warning, wiping out one potential game-winning drive. He got the ball back with just over a minute left and fumbled, wiping out another one.
Jimmy G also reported a sore arm following his first start of the year. He went through camp as the clear backup quarterback, which limited his reps.
“Oh yeah, my arm is feeling it right now,” Garoppolo said after the game. “I didn’t really go through training camp. I’m not trying to make excuses or anything, but I’ve just got to get in game shape and get rolling.”
More Missing Players
Garoppolo will have an even tougher time in his second straight prime-time start on Monday. He’ll be without left tackle Trent Williams, arguably the best player on the team. Williams suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss and has already been ruled out for this week’s contest.
With Williams going down against the Broncos, San Francisco’s line had its worst game of the year, giving up 12 quarterback pressures, 10 more than in the previous week. That included two in the first four snaps by Williams’ replacement, Jaylon Moore.
The Niners may also be without linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who left with a knee injury and didn’t return on Sunday. He’ll be evaluated this week.
Personnel Moves
The Rams were initially expecting to get wide receiver Van Jefferson back in the near future. Jefferson has missed two straight games, but his recovery plans apparently hit a setback, as the team put him on injured reserve, meaning he’ll be out at least four more weeks.
The team also lost tight end Brycen Hopkins, who was suspended four games for substance policy violations prior to Sunday’s game.
On the other side of the ball, cornerback Derion Kendrick entered the concussion protocol after taking a blow to the head during Sunday’s game. The Rams were already without four defensive backs on Sunday and still managed to contain dangerous Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray in a 20-12 win.
The Rams appear to be returning to form after an opening week debacle. Cam Akers had his best performance of the season, including finding the end zone for the first time in more than a year. Now Los Angeles just needs receiver Allen Robinson to step up as an alternative to Cooper Kupp.
Rams vs. 49ers: The Picks
Remarkably, the defending champs are an underdog in this game.
Yes, it’s on the road, but still, the Niners are coming off an inexcusable loss to a badly managed Broncos team that appears to have no offense to speak of.
Look for Los Angeles to cruise in a Monday Night statement game.
NFL Pick: Rams +2 (-107) at PointsBet
NFL Pick: Over 42.5 (-110) at Bet365
