Early Rams vs 49ers Predictions, Picks, and Odds for TNF Week 15

It’s a mad dash to the finish line in the NFC West and the path to the division title runs through Thursday Night Football in Week 15.

The Los Angeles Rams visit the San Francisco 49ers in this mid-week matchup, with L.A. coming off a huge win over Buffalo and injury-plagued San Francisco not giving up on 2024 with a victory against Chicago in Week 14.

I look into the opening odds and initial line moves, giving my early NFL leans and predictions for Rams at 49ers on Thursday, December 12 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Rams vs 49ers predictions

Early spread lean
Rams +2.5 (-118 at FanDuel)

My analysis

The look-ahead line, before the events of Week 14, was San Francisco 49ers -3. However, once the Los Angeles Rams stunned the Bills in Sunday's SoFi shootout, books opened this game at 49ers -2.5 and we’ve seen that trim to -2 at some places.

Both teams are in a tough spot. For the 49ers, you’re forcing an injury-riddled roster to play on a short week. For the Rams, you run the risk of a letdown spot with little time to focus after such a notable victory.

If there ever was a spot for L.A. coach Sean McVay to get the best of his rival, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan, this is the spot. McVay can kick the 49ers while they’re down in a key divisional matchup that would push Los Angeles into contention with Seattle at the top of the NFC West.

McVay is historically one of the better coaches on a quick turnaround, owning an 8-1 straight-up record on a short week for his career. That could help remedy a poor mark in head-to-head meetings with Shanahan, with McVay going 5-10 SU and 6-9 ATS in regular season meetings since 2017.

That record includes a 27-24 comeback win by the Rams back in Week 3 as 6.5-point home underdogs. Both teams were down standout talents in that game, with the Rams missing WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. This time around, Los Angeles is the much healthier side on the tight turnaround. 

I like the short underdogs on Thursday Night Football.

Early Over/Under lean
Over 48.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

My analysis

This total opened at 47.5 and jumped up to 48.5 O/U, with the Rams’ high-scoring finish in Week 14 powering that move. 

Los Angeles’ offense looked great against one of the better defenses in the land, amassing 457 yards in the 44-42 victory. Let’s not forget, however, that L.A. gave up 445 yards on an average of more than eight yards per play, and a blocked punt for a touchdown return was the difference in this final score.

San Francisco put up a massive day against the Bears, with 452 yards in the 38-13 home win. The 49ers finished 5-for-6 in the red zone and ranked No. 3 in EPA per play among all Week 14 offenses — just ahead of the Rams. Defensively, the 49ers are thin. There are numerous starters out of action and the lack of rest doesn't allow for much time to get bodies back.

These NFC West foes combined for 51 points in SoFi Stadium back in Week 3, going Over the closing total of 44.5. If you like the Over, you may want to grab it now. With both teams putting up big scores in Week 14, I could see the total ticking upward closer to kickoff and you’ll want to a shorter number than 49 or 50 points.

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