Thursday Night Football comes to the left side of the country for an NFC West war between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, and my Rams vs. 49ers predictions have George Kittle playing a big role in this evening's vital divisional dance.
Here are my best NFL picks for this West Coast showdown on December 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with the game airing on Amazon Prime.
Rams vs 49ers Thursday Night Football prediction
Who will win Rams vs 49ers?
If Sean McVay is going to get the best of his rival Kyle Shanahan, this could be the game. McVay is extremely sharp on the short week, touting an 8-1 SU record in a tight turnaround during his career.
The short week presents a tough test for the Niners and their brittle depth chart. San Francisco has several players either out or nursing ailments ahead of Week 15. The Rams have to avoid a letdown after stunning the Bills at home last Sunday, but I believe they can come to Santa Clara and knock off the 49ers in primetime.
My best bet
George Kittle Over 4.5 receptions (+112 at FanDuel)
My analysis
It’s a primetime game for the San Francisco 49ers, which means George Kittle is coming to play. The CEO of Tight End Inc. routinely shines on the big stage and will be going all out in this key NFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
San Francisco has counted on Kittle to step up in the receiving corps since WR Brandon Aiyuk went down with a season-ending injury, and he’s done exactly that.
Kittle has gone for 512 total yards in his last six games, catching 28 passes on 32 targets. That includes a monster game in Week 14 in which the tight end snatched all six passes his way for 151 yards through the air.
He’s grabbed six receptions in four of those six outings and has had at least five catches in seven of his 10 appearances in 2024. Kittle now sizes up a Los Angeles defense that has watched rival TEs rack up the grabs in recent weeks.
The Rams allowed both of New Orleans’ tight ends to catch five balls in Week 13, surrendered five receptions to New England TE Hunter Henry, and got rolled by Raiders rookie TE Brock Bowers for 10 catches and 93 yards in Week 7.
Los Angeles’ defense runs one of the highest rates of zone coverage in the NFL, which favors San Francisco QB Brock Purdy. He sees a significant upswing against the zone, with his completion percentage soaring and his passer rating of 122.9 versus zone leading all NFL QBs.
And wouldn’t you know it, Kittle also loves exploiting the space of zone schemes as well. He’s the No. 1 tight end in the league against zone according to his PFF-qualified stats, with almost 61% of his total receptions coming against that scheme.
Player projections for Thursday Night Football set the table for a big night from Kittle, with many models calling for five catches from the San Francisco star and more than 65 yards receiving.
My number comes out to 4.8 receptions, which should have the Over 4.5 catches priced at -118. However, FanDuel is paying plus money on this prop, giving great value considering Kittle’s primetime performances and ability to exploit this Rams defense.
Get more analysis from Jason by watching the Sharp 600 podcast!
Get more Rams vs. 49ers picks and Week 15 best bets from Jason — and co-host Todd Fuhrman — by checking out the Sharp 600 podcast!
Watch now on the Covers' YouTube channel!
Rams vs 49ers TNF same-game parlay
George Kittle 5+ receptions
George 60+ receiving yards
Brock Purdy 2+ passing touchdowns
Kittle is forecast for at least five catches and has put up six receptions in three of his last five outings.
Projections all sit north of 60 yards for the 49ers tight end, with a ceiling closer to 67 yards. He’s the best TE vs. zone and faces a zone-heavy scheme from the Rams.
Purdy also loves playing against zone coverage and will connect for at least two TD passes against a bad L.A. defense.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best Rams vs 49ers bonus
Get $150 in bonus bets when you win with FanDuel!
New users can create an account at FanDuel and place your first bet of $5+ on the NFL, and get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins!
Sign up now at FanDuel Sportsbook, or learn more with our comprehensive FanDuel review.
More Thursday Night Football picks from Covers
- Rams vs. 49ers props
- Brock Purdy odds and props
- Rams vs. 49ers anytime TD picks
- Best Rams vs. 49ers boosts
- Free NFL picks and predictions
Rams vs 49ers odds
Rams vs 49ers live odds
Rams vs 49ers opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +2.5 | San Francisco -2.5
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +120 | San Francisco -140
- Over/Under: Over 47.5 | Under 47.5
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
Rams vs 49ers spread and Over/Under analysis
• San Francisco opened as a 2.5-point home favorite following Los Angeles’ impressive shootout win over Buffalo last Sunday. Some books have jumped to -3, but most shops are dealing the Niners below the key number.
• The Over/Under total hit the board at 47.5 points and wasted little time moving to 49.5 O/U, with one-sided action on the Over out of the gate.
• According to Covers Consensus, 53% of picks are taking the points with the road Rams while 55% of total picks are leaning to the Over.
Rams vs 49ers betting trend to know
Kyle Shanahan owns a 10-5 SU edge over Sean McVay, which has panned out to a 9-6 mark against the spread. The Rams and 49ers have produced a 9-6 Over/Under record in those head-to-head meetings since 2017. Find more NFL betting trends for Rams vs. 49ers.
How to watch Rams vs 49ers
| Location: | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
| Date: | Thursday, 12-12, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Amazon Prime |
Learn how to live stream Rams vs. 49ers for free.
Rams vs 49ers latest injuries
Thursday Night Football always puts a stress on the depth chart during the short week and no team has been bitten as badly by the injury bug as San Francisco.
The 49ers offense will once again be without all-world tackle Trent Williams (ankle) while the run game hopes RB Isaac Guerendo can battle through a sprained foot, with top RBs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on IR.
San Francisco’s defense did activate star LB Dre Greenlaw ahead of Week 15’s NFC West war and DL Nick Bosa is trending toward playing after missing time with an oblique injury. Defensive tackle Khalil Davis is questionable (knee)
As for Los Angeles, the offensive line could have gaps with LT Alaric Jackson listed as questionable (foot) and center Beaux Limmer questionable (knee). Center is one of the more undervalued positions to the point spread, with the center vital to calling out defensive formations and connecting with QB on snap counts (especially on the road).
Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson is questionable with a shoulder injury as is WR/kick return Jordan Whittington. Tight end Davis Allen is questionable (shoulder) compounding the injury to TE1 Tyler Higbee (IR) and potentially leaving L.A. thin at the position. Granted, the Rams run 12 personnel (two TE sets) at one of the lowest rates in the NFL.
Defensively, Los Angeles will be without starting corner Cobie Durant and that has L.A. leaning on recently signed CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who could make his first start for the Rams tonight.
Rams vs 49ers weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our live NFL weather info and learn how weather impacts NFL betting.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
See FanDuel T&Cs
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
21+ and present in select states. FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
