Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are going to face each other in Sunday’s action of the NFL 2021 Week 18. The home side has secured the playoffs spot, but they fancy their chances of winning the division. The visitors still haven’t checked the ticket for the post-season, and they will search for a valuable victory.
Los Angeles enjoys an excellent streak, and they want to keep up where they left off. If they win this game, the hosts will win the division and possibly face the Eagles in the playoffs. On the other hand, San Francisco wants to squeeze into 14 teams, and a win would see them progress to the post-season. However, a tough challenge is ahead of the visitors, and they need an excellent display here.
Los Angeles Rams – Will they extend their winning streak?
The Rams have been in a victorious streak lately, as they celebrated five times in a row. That run launched them to the top of the NFC West, and Los Angeles improved to a 12-4 record. Another victory would see them locking the top spot as the Cardinals are one win behind them. The hosts go to this game after beating the Ravens 20-19 in a very tight match on the road. Matthew Stafford had an excellent display going 300 yards through the air on 26-35 and finding the end zone twice, followed by two interceptions.
Los Angeles’s starting quarterback has passed for 4,648 yards this season, with 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. On the other hand, he has been sacked 25 times. Sony Michel leads the Rams’ ground game with 802 yards and four TDs, while Darrell Henderson Jr. follows him with 688 rushing yards and five scores. Cooper Kupp is one of the NFL’s best receivers with 1,829 yards and 15 touchdown receptions, while Van Jefferson generated 771 receiving yards and six scores. Robert Woods and Tyler Higbee have also contributed a lot in the receiving department, with 500+ yards each. Defensively, Jordan Fuller has a team-high 107 total tackles, while Aaron Donald has 12.5 sacks.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Sony Michel, Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson, Tyler Higbee, Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Brian Allen, Austin Corbett, Rob Havenstein
Expected Line-Up (Defense): A’Shawn Robinson, Greg Gaines, Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder, Von Miller, Darious Williams, Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Jalen Ramsey
Quarter Back: Matthew Stafford
Kicker: Matt Gay
with best odds
San Francisco 49ers – Can they clinch the playoffs spot?
The 49ers had a slow start into the season, but they managed to improve their form and get back in the playoffs race. They booked three wins in the previous four rounds and remained in 3rd place in the NFC West with a 9-7 record. San Francisco still has the chance to enter the post-season, but they need to win this one. They go to this match after beating the Texans 23-7, holding the opponents to only 222 yards in the offense. Trey Lance successfully jumped in to replace Jimmy G by throwing for 241 yards and finding the end zone twice.
Jimmy Garoppolo has gone 3,494 yards through the air so far, with 19 scores and ten picks, while the opponent defenders sacked him 26 times. Elijah Mitchell has been the most dominant rusher for San Francisco with 878 yards and five touchdowns, while Deebo Samuel and Jeff Wilson Jr. have combined for 616 rushing yards and nine TDs. Deebo Samuel leads the receiving corps with 1,310 yards and six touchdown receptions, while George Kittle has contributed with 900 receiving yards and six scores. On defense, Fred Warner has been the best with 129 total tackles, while Nick Bosa has 15 sacks.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Elijah Mitchell, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk, Trent Williams, Laken Tomlinson, Alex Mack, Daniel Brunskill, Tom Compton
Expected Line-Up (Defense): Arik Armstead, Kentavius Street, D.J. Jones, Nick Bosa, Marcell Harris, Fred Warner, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Deommodore Lenoir, Jaquiski Tartt, Jimmie Ward, Jarrod Wilson
Quarter Back: Trey Lance
Kicker: Robbie Gould
Expert Pick #1 – San Francisco 49ers +4 @-110
Although the Rams have been in a much more stable form, I will back the visitors ATS in this one. San Francisco won’t give up on its chances to enter the playoffs, and they should keep this encounter tight, at least. The Niners managed to beat their upcoming rivals five times in a row, and I’ll back them as my first pick.
Expert Pick #2 – Under 44.5 @-110
Both teams have been very good in the offense this season, but I’m going with the Under in this one. Twelve of the last 15 LA’s games went under the margin, while the under also cashed four times in the previous five head-to-head encounters of these two teams. Give me the Under as the second bet.
Expert Pick #3 – Rams Under 24.5 @-120
Consequently, the Rams might not produce more than 24 points in this matchup. San Francisco hasn’t allowed more than 23 points in the previous four matches, while the Rams scored 25 or more just once in the last five h2h matches against the Niners. Therefore, it’s going to be my third pick despite a bit shorter odds than the two above.
