49ERS at RAMS
8:15 p.m., Rams by 5 ½, 46 ½
HANK’S HONEYS: The 49ers have had the Rams’ number but that could change here. They’ve been decimated by injuries (DE Nick Bosa is out for the year, TE George Kittle is out this week) and will be playing on a short week. Brock Purdy, nursing a turf toe, was very shaky in his return in the loss to the Jaguars and he’ll be facing a pass rush that has been getting home week after week. Christian McCaffrey has gained at least 135 scrimmage yards in his four starts against L.A., but he’s been a one-man gang and on the verge of being overworked.
While their records are the same, the opposition hasn’t been. The Rams are by far the best team the Niners will have faced and they’re on a 8-2 ATS run dating back to last season. Matthew Stafford is playing some of his best football and while the 49ers defense has been impressive, it has had problems getting to the quarterback without Bosa. At the same time, the Rams’ defense has been a match for anyone. The over/under number is relatively high for two teams with top 10 defenses. Both offenses have had issues in the red zone, settling for field goals.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Rams and the under.
