San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2018 ) San Francisco 32, L.A. Rams 48

The San Francisco 49ers are trying to supplant the Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West and they have a great chance to take another step in that process on Sunday when they put their unbeaten record on the line in Los Angeles. The 49ers are one of two undefeated teams in the NFL following an impressive 31-3 rout of Cleveland on Monday night, and they own an early advantage in the division over Seattle and the Rams.

Matt Breida (114 rushing yards) and Tevin Coleman (97) led the way against the Browns and are the catalysts of the league's top-rated rushing attack, which is averaging 200 yards per game. Los Angeles, which won the NFC West the last two seasons, has given up 85 points during a two-game slide and knows the competition level in the division has gone up. "The NFC West? Pretty good, huh?" quarterback Jared Goff told reporters. "We've got some good teams here. We've got to win some games and compete with these guys and expect to." The Rams won both meetings last year while averaging 43.5 points, cutting San Francisco's all-time advantage in the regular season series to 68-67-3.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Rams -3. O/U: 50.5

ABOUT THE 49ERS (4-0): San Francisco's running game has taken a big hit on the injury front, as both fullback Kyle Juszczyk and right tackle Mike McGlinchey are out for about a month with knee injuries, joining left tackle Joe Staley (leg) on the sidelines. "When you lose real good players, both of your tackles and your fullback, you've always got to make adjustments," coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. "But, you're not going to reinvent the wheel either. You've got to go out and play football and just try your hardest to put them in a position that gives them the best chance to be successful." Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns against the Browns while avoiding an interception for the first time this year.

ABOUT THE RAMS (3-2): Goff is third in the NFL in passing yards (1,649) but has tossed six interceptions over his last three games and seven on the season -- tied for the second-highest total in the league. Running back Todd Gurley, who has four rushing TDs during the two-game losing streak, is questionable for this one due to a thigh contusion. Cooper Kupp leads the receiving corps with 41 catches for 505 yards -- both of which rank in the top four in the NFL in their respective categories entering Week 6.

EXTRA POINTS

1. San Francisco is fourth in the league in scoring defense (14.3), while Los Angeles ranks 26th (26.8).

2. Goff has thrown for nine TDs with no interceptions in his last three games against the Niners -- all wins.

3. Rams LB Clay Matthews, who is tied for fourth in the NFL with six sacks, will miss up to six weeks with a broken jaw suffered in last week's 30-29 loss at Seattle.

PREDICTION: Rams 28, 49ers 24