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The playoffs are just a week away, yet the NFC West still hasn’t been decided. The Los Angeles Rams are a win away from clinching their first division title since 2018, but a loss today and a win by the Cardinals gives Arizona the West.
The team standing in their way just happens to be the San Francisco 49ers, who have won five straight against the Rams.
The 49ers have plenty to play for in this one, needing a win to clinch a playoff berth – or a loss by the Saints. and as is always the case when they face the Rams, there will be some added motivation to beat their division rivals.
They’re not in great shape health-wise, though. Jimmy Garoppolo has a thumb injury that kept him out of Week 17 and limited in practice. Trent Williams is dealing with an elbow injury and is uncertain to play. The secondary has been decimated by injuries and COVID-19, putting them in a tough spot against the NFL’s leading receiver, Cooper Kupp.
On paper, this is a game the Rams should win, having the advantage at most spots. But that’s been said numerous times before when they face the 49ers, and they’ve simply been unable to beat them.
The 49ers have been underdogs four times in their five-game winning streak against the Rams. They have the Rams’ number and seem to have figured out ways to move the ball against a good defense, while also keeping Sean McVay’s offense in check.
That should change today, though.
The Rams have everything to play for and they should be treating this like a playoff game. A loss potentially sends them on the road in the wild-card round instead of securing home games in the first two weeks of the playoffs if they beat San Francisco.
Aaron Donald is playing some of the best football of his career, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. are more integrated now than they were eight weeks ago and the offense has found a groove with Sony Michel.
As long as the Rams protect the ball, stop the run and get off the field on third down, they’ll win this game. It’s easier said than done, of course, but it’s a fairly simple formula when facing the 49ers.
Final score prediction: Rams 27, 49ers 21