Rams (8-6) at at 49ers (11-3)
49ers schedule
W ... at Tampa Bay ... 31-17 W .... at Cincinnati .... 41-17 W ...... Pittsburgh ...... 24-20
BYE
W ........ Cleveland ........ 31-3 W ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 20-7 W .... atWashington .... 9-0 W ........ Carolina ........ 51-13 W ...... at Arizona ...... 28-25 L ....... Seattle ....... 27-24 OT W ......... Arizona ......... 36-26 W ....... Green Bay ....... 37-8 L ..... at Baltimore ..... 20-17 W . at New Orleans . 48-46 L .......... Atlanta .......... 29-22 Dec. 21 ... L.A. Rams ... 8:15 Dec. 29 ... at Seattle ... 4:25
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: NFL Network
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 61⁄2
Rams’ keys to victory: The Rams are a tough matchup for the 49ers if they can get ahead early. Getting out to a fast start and playing from ahead allows DT Aaron Donald to wreak havoc on a San Francisco offensive line that’s starting its backup center. Stifling defense was the Rams’ formula for beating the 49ers in their Week 6 matchup, but they didn’t get anything out of their offense after a touchdown on their opening drive. Better play from QB Jared Goff will be paramount to executing a similar plan in Week 16.
49ers’ keys to victory: It’s hard to believe the 49ers’ identity has changed so much over the last couple of weeks. The once-dominant defense is starting to show some cracks with injuries across the whole unit. Forcing the quarterback to move off his spot and get rid of the football early takes some of the pressure off a secondary that has three starters working through injuries. The emergence of WR Deebo Samuel and the arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders have helped QB Jimmy Garoppolo elevate his game.
Matchup to watch: Rams CB Jalen Ramsey vs. 49ers WR Sanders. The 49ers’ offense goes as Sanders goes. Neither was with his new team in the first meeting, but the winner of their matchup could decide the winner of their second meeting.
Who wins? The Rams’ recent offensive resurgence should make them more effective than they were in their first game against the 49ers, but their inability to block San Francisco’s dynamic defensive front will be the difference.
49ers, 23-17 49ers