49ers at Rams Preview and Lines

As things stand right now the LA Rams have a bye next week and they will join the playoffs in the divisional round a week later. A win on Sunday afternoon would confirm that for them, and for the good of their playoff chances, that may be needed.

The Rams are 12-3 on the season, although two of their three defeats have happened in the last three weeks as they have slowed down. They are looking to put that right and went a good way to doing that last weekend with a 31-9 win over the Cardinals. They did that without star running back Todd Gurley, and they could have to go to war without him again this week as he continues to struggle with a knee injury. A win here would give Gurley an additional week off before he was needed again, and that is what the team should be aiming to do on Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers have had a tough season and they come here with a 4-11 record. They are well and truly out of the playoff picture and they are already looking towards next season. However, they could have an impact on it after losing to Chicago last weekend, and now playing the Rams this weekend.

While the Rams would love Gurley on the field to get some momentum going ahead of the playoffs and get him firing again, rest is more important at this stage of the season. I don't think we will see him play in the game on Sunday, but that won't stop the Rams from winning and giving themselves a bye next weekend, which gives Gurley two weeks to get fit.

We saw Jared Goff and Gurley lead the Rams and look like genuine Super Bowl contenders during the first half of the season, but the second half has not been as impressive by them. While they won't want to disrespect the 49ers too much, the Rams should see this as another opportunity to show they are back after a solid performance last weekend.

There is a lot to like about the Rams, and another good performance in this one, with or without Gurley, will remind us why many believe that this could be their year. They have all the talent in the world on their squad, and I think they will use that not only to beat the 49ers but to go on a deep playoff run to the Super Bowl.