49ers Laying 6.5 Points vs Rams in Opening Week 16 Lines
- The San Francisco 49ers open as 6.5-point home favorites versus the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday
- The 11-3 Niners lost 29-22 to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, while the Rams were blown out by the Dallas Cowboys
- Read below for our prediction on how the point spread might move ahead of kickoff
For the first occasion during the 2019 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers took a pratfall. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams were all but eliminated from the playoff picture.
San Fran lost 29-22 to the 5-9 Atlanta Falcons. It’s the first time all season that the Niners were beaten by a team with a losing record. Meanwhile, the 8-6 Rams were throttled 44-21 by the Dallas Cowboys. It was the first time all season that the Cowboys defeated a team with a winning record.
As the 49ers and Rams square off Saturday in San Francisco, the 11-3 Niners are trailing the 11-3 Seattle Seahawks via a tiebreaker for top spot in the NFC West. For the Rams, their playoff chances are down to one option. They must win out and hope that the 10-4 Minnesota Vikings lose out.
If that happens, LA gets the second NFC Wild Card playoff spot ahead of the Vikes.
Oddsmakers aren’t fond of the Rams’ chances. The opening line for Saturday’s game lists the 49ers, who are 5-1 straight up at home this season, as the 6.5-point chalk.
Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | +230 | +6.5 (-110) | Over 46.5 (-105) |
| San Francisco 49ers | -280 | -6.5 (-110) | Under 46.5 (-115) |
Odds taken Dec. 15
The Niners whipped the Rams 20-7 earlier this season in LA.
Will 49ers Rebound?
San Francisco entered Sunday as the top seed in the NFC. The Niners left the field Sunday as the #5 seed in the NFC.
They held 19-10 and 22-17 leads over the Falcons. Atlanta took over the football with two minutes left in regulation and drove 60 yards against San Francisco’s NFL-best defense.
Ahhhhh!
Julio fights his way in to take the lead!!!
(via @AtlantaFalcons) pic.twitter.com/UdJqb0Nllf
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 16, 2019
The Falcons scored the winning touchdown on a Matt Ryan to Julio Jones TD pass with 2 seconds left in the fourth quarter. To throw salt in the wound, Atlanta returned a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for another TD and a 29-22 verdict.
The 49ers played the game minus five defensive staters.
Rams All But Dead
Wildly inconsistent play has proven to be the trademark of the Rams this season, and it was again the case against the Cowboys. LA came into Sunday’s game off the team’s most impressive performance of the season. The Rams handed the Seahawks a resounding 28-12 setback.
On to 49ers week. pic.twitter.com/GOdYDZYYV6
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 16, 2019
One week earlier, they whipped the Arizona Cardinals 34-7. But prior to toppling the Cards, LA was humbled 45-6 by the Baltimore Ravens.
Earlier in the season, LA stomped the New Orleans Saints 29-7. But the Rams also lost 55-40 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Niners Still Well Positioned
Despite their loss on Sunday, thanks to the Rams also suffering a setback, San Francisco clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013. The 49ers are still in good shape to determine what that position might be.
They get Seattle in the season finale. A division title and top seed in the NFC are still well within reach. All they must do is win out.
Them: "Do you think the Rams can come back?"
Me: pic.twitter.com/RlcZz74r6F
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) December 15, 2019
The Niners have much to play for. The Rams are playing on fumes.
San Francisco hasn’t swept the season series from the Rams since 2016. But LA is a dismal 2-6 against the spread in its last eight games with the 49ers.
With the Rams' loss, the 49ers have clinched a playoff berth. pic.twitter.com/PGiSUw6WJe
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 16, 2019
Look for there to be plenty of money on the Niners in this tilt. If anything, this line will continue to grow in San Francisco’s favor.
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An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
