NFL Overreactions Week 14
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the biggest NFL storylines from Week 14.
Sports Seriously
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, coming off big wins that kept their playoff hopes alive, kick off Week 15 of the NFL season with an NFC West showdown.
The 7-6 Rams are a game behind division-leading Seattle, while the defending NFC champion 49ers are two games back.
San Francisco ended its three-game losing streak with a win over the Bears, while Los Angeles got its second consecutive win, a 44-42 victory over the Bills, which is rated as one of the best games in the league this season.
San Francisco is a 2 1/2-point favorite, so slightly less than what home field is worth.
The NFL Week 15 Thursday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The Rams at 49ers game will be streamed on Amazon Prime.
Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the Levi’s Stadium booth, and Kaylee Hartung will report from the sidelines.
The 49ers are 2 1/2-point home favorites over the Rams in NFL Week 15 odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. The 49ers are -140 on the moneyline while the Rams are +120. The over/under is set at 49 points.
Los Angeles Rams
Tight end Tyler Higbee is out. Cornerback Cobie Durant, defensive end Tyler Davis, receiver Jordan Whittington, tight end Davis Allen, receiver Demarcus Robinson and offensive lineman Beaux Levensen are all questionable.
San Francisco 49ers injury report
Star running back Christian McCaffrey is done for the rest of the season after appearing in only four games, and backup Jordan Mason joined him on injured reserve after both went down during a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Star defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), guard Ben Bartch (ankle) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also didn’t practice Tuesday. Linebacker Dre Greenlawlinebacker is expected to be activated in time for his season debut.
With a line of 2 1/2 points and an over-under of 49, the expected result is a 49ers victory of 26-23.
Bill Speros writes: “The post-Super-Bowl-hangover has claimed its latest victim in the San Francisco 49ers. The team never recovered from its 25-22 OT loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. The 49ers were hit hard with injuries this season, as well. Christian McCaffrey is done for the season after suffering a torn PCL this past week. And his backup Jordan Mason may not see action until the 2025-26 season. Even fully staffed, opposing coordinators were able to decipher Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers routed the Bears in Week 14. But does that even count? The 49ers have failed to cover in 9 straight games after a win. The Rams put up 44 points on the Bills and barely survived in a 2-point win. The trio of Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp are back in top form. The Niners’ 38-13 win over the Bears was more mirage than harbinger. The Rams offense can handle San Francisco’s defensive front. And no one appears able to cover Kupp and Nacua these days. And stop Kyren Williams at the same time. And Brock Purdy is no Josh Allen.”
Sports Betting Dime: 49ers 24.1, Rams 19.7
The site’s formula predicts that the 49ers will win the NFL Week 15 game against the Rams.
ESPN: 49ers have a 60.6% chance to beat Rams on Thursday Night Football
The site gives the Rams a 39% shot at winning the NFL Week 15 game, with the remaining percentage accounting for a tie
Dimers: 49ers 26, Rams 21
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Rams a win probability of 29%, while the 49ers have a win probability of 71%.”
Sportsnaut: Rams 27, 49ers 21
Matt Johnson writes: “Both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are coming off big wins, providing some momentum for each side for this Thursday Night Football matchup. San Francisco did get cornerback Charvarius Ward back in Week 14, giving this secondary two corners it can trust in man coverage. However, the Rams’ pass rush combined with an effective run game versus a 49ers’ defense that allowed 131.8 rush ypg and 4.5 ypc from Weeks 5-13 should pave the way to a win for Los Angeles.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
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