Los Angeles Rams: Staff predictions for Rams-49ers

The Los Angeles Rams look to remain unbeaten as the team heads into Santa Clara to face a Jimmy Garoppolo-less San Francisco 49ers.

At the beginning of the season, the Week 7 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers looked like it was going to be one of the best of the week. The 49ers were many people’s dark horse playoff team (are they really a dark horse then?) and the Rams were the obvious NFC West favorites.

However, that all changed when the 49ers lost Jimmy Garoppolo to an ACL injury that will keep him out until the 2019 season. Garoppolo did make the team significantly better and filling in for him is backup C.J. Beathard.

While he is no Jimmy G, Beathard has not been terrible for the 49ers since taking over the starting job. Although the team lost to one of the NFL’s worst teams in the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco also only lost by a combined five points against the Los Angeles Chargers and Green Bay Packers.

The Los Angeles Rams are a completely different beast however and likely won’t give the 49ers much reason for hope of winning this game. Either way, we still bring you our weekly staff predictions.

Jamaal Artis (8-0): 35-10, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams take their unbeaten record to Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers. After this game, the Rams will still be unbeaten, as the beat up lowly 49ers don’t stand a chance with their inept defense that averages nearly 400 yds per game.

Jeremy Bezich (8-1): 38-17, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams continued their dominant start to the season with a close win in Denver. Even though Garrapalo is out for the year, the Niners are hanging in there with some great teams (Green Bay and Chargers), but I see the Rams offense overpowering San Francisco in this one. Look for Gurley to have another big day. Rams go to 7-0.

Lamarr Fields (7-2): 37-12, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams will run through the 49ers. The 49ers have too many injuries to compete against the loaded Rams.

Redan Lopez (6-1): 33-27, Los Angeles Rams

I think this game will be a lot closer than people think. The Rams will be missing reliable receiver Cooper Kupp, which hurts the Rams passing attack. However, they still have plenty of weapons in Brandin Cooks, Todd Gurley, and Robert Woods.

The 49ers will put up a strong fight, much like last week in Green Bay. However, they will fall short yet again. The Rams’ defense has been shaky and concerning the last couple of weeks, but they should be able to pull out a victory against an inferior team.

Look for Gurley to have another game of 150 plus yards total in passing and rushing, and for Rams QB Jared Goff to get some of his mojo back after struggling in his two previous road outings.

Sarah Maninger (6-0): 45-7, Los Angeles Rams

This is probably my boldest prediction to date, but I am going with it. The 49ERS are 1-5 and the Rams are undefeated. They’ve been a powerhouse all season long. Like in the past weeks, I feel that the Rams will win this week, and continue to dominate.

Jason Reed (8-2): 37-10, Los Angeles Rams

C’mon, this shouldn’t even be a question. The Rams are a team that is favored by 10 points and probably should be favored by 14 points, if not more. I get that the 49ers played the Packers close, but c’mon.