Rams (7-2) at 49ers (3-5)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: ESPN/ESPN2
Tipico Sportsbook line: Rams by 4 ⁄2
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Rams’ keys to victory: QB Matthew Stafford has to avoid turnovers, and a heavy dose of WR Cooper Kupp against a bad San Francisco defense should provide plenty of firepower to put up points. DL Aaron Donald and new DE Von Miller could have a field day on defense against a bangedup 49ers offensive front. If the Los Angeles defensive linemen are even a little bit disruptive, they’ll throw a shaky offense out of rhythm.
49ers’ keys to victory: They simply cannot give the ball away on offense at the rate they’ve been doing it. A full stash of weapons is available for QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been better lately, and now he has TE George Kittle back from injury and WR Brandon Aiyuk emerging as a real threat. San Francisco will need those two and WR Deebo Samuel to have big days if it is going to keep up with Arizona. On the defensive side, DE Nick Bosa needs to have his best game of the season, and LB Fred Warner needs to step up in the middle of the field. If they can dominate the short and intermediate areas, it makes life easier on the secondary and the pass rush, which have struggled this season.
Matchup to watch: Rams LT Andrew Whitworth vs. 49ers’ Bosa. Bosa is the most disruptive player on San Francisco’s defense. If Whitworth keeps him at bay, it’ll be an easy night for the Rams offense.
Who wins? These teams tend to play close games, but the Rams are the markedly better club, and that should show in a relatively comfortable win.
Rams 31, 49ers 19