San Francisco @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 21, 2018 ) L.A. Rams 39, San Francisco 10

After dropping back-to-back games to lose their chance at the top seed and home-field advantage through the playoffs, the Los Angeles Rams got back on track by beating up on NFC West rival Arizona a week ago. The Rams can still secure a first-round bye for the playoffs by completing a season sweep of the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Los Angeles, which halted a two-game slide with a 31-9 victory over the Cardinals, can wrap up the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a victory over the 49ers. "It's very important for us to come out ready to go," Rams head coach Sean McVay said. "We know that if we're able to do that, then that means that we get a first-round bye." Running back Todd Gurley scored three touchdowns in a 39-10 win at San Francisco in Week 7, but he may be unavailable for the rematch against the 49ers, who had a two-game winning streak halted in last week's 14-9 loss to Chicago. San Francisco routed Los Angeles in the 2017 regular-season finale, but the Rams had already wrapped up a playoff berth and sat a number of starters.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Rams -10. O/U: 48.5

ABOUT THE 49ERS (4-11): Backup C.J. Beathard was under center in the last meeting against the Rams, but San Francisco is down to third-stringer Nick Mullens, who has acquitted himself well in his rookie campaign with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions despite myriad injuries at running back and wide receiver. One constant for the 49ers has been tight end George Kittle, who has 79 receptions for 1,228 yards and burned Los Angeles with five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in October. "His production speaks for itself. He's an incredible player," McVay said. "He's certainly earned that Pro Bowl invitation, and he's a guy we've got to be aware of, for sure." San Francisco has surrendered an average of 17 points over the past three games.

ABOUT THE RAMS (12-3): Jared Goff struggled mightily in consecutive losses to Chicago and Seattle, tossing five interceptions and failing to throw for a touchdown, but he was an efficient 19 of 24 for 216 yards and a scoring pass in last week's victory. Newly signed C.J. Anderson got the start at running back last week and rumbled for 167 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, but he cannot provide the overall production of Gurley, who has accounted for 21 touchdowns and 1,831 yards from scrimmage. Goff has a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Roberts Woods and Brandin Cooks, who have combined for 159 receptions and nine scores. Aaron Donald has set an NFL record for defensive tackles with 19.5 sacks and needs three more to tie the NFL mark held by Michael Strahan.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Goff has 2,538 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in seven home games.

2. 49ers RB Matt Breida (ankle) and WR Dante Pettis (MCL) will sit out Sunday's game.

3. Donald can join Reggie White as the only players since 1982 with eight multiple-sack games.

PREDICTION: Rams 30, 49ers 19