Free NFL Picks: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: 5:40 Sunday 1/30/22

This matchup features two division rivals who will be playing each other for the third time this year. San Francisco has won both meetings in 2021, and the last six between these two bitter rivals. So, forget about them having any fear of the Rams.

It will be at least a 50-50 split between Rams and 49ers fans. So, forget about much of a home field advantage.

This is going to be a slugfest between these two teams and it should be a whale of a game. Let’s see what we can find to bet and analyze the position groups.

WHO HAS THE EDGE:

• Quarterback:
• San Francisco: Jimmy Garoppolo (67% Completion Rate, 4,113 yards, 20 Touchdowns,14 Interceptions)
• Los Angeles: Matthew Stafford (68% Completion Rate, 5,454 yards, 45 Touchdowns, 17 Interceptions)
• ADVANTAGE: LOS ANGELES Stafford has had a very good season and has justified the offseason acquisition by the Rams.

• Running Back:
• San Francisco: Elijah Mitchell (1,112 yards, 4.5yds. per carry, 6 touchdowns)
• Los Angeles: Sony Michel (907 yards, 4.1yds. per carry and 4 touchdowns)
• ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO The Niners have a definite edge running the ball

• Receivers:
• San Francisco: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle (220 catches for 3,370 yards and 17 touchdowns).
• Los Angeles: Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham, Tyler Higbee, and Van Jefferson (317 catches for 4,148 yards and 35 touchdowns).
• ADVANTAGE: LOS ANGELES Rams have the advantage because Kupp is so damned good

• Offensive Line:
• San Francisco: 128 yards rushing per game, allowed 37 sacks
• Los Angeles: 100 yards rushing per game, allowed 34 sacks
• ADVANTAGE: SAN FRANCISCO The advantage to the Niners is slight

• Defense:
• San Francisco: Allowed 21 points and 307 total yards per game. Had 58 sacks and 10 interceptions. Held opponents under 20 points eight times.
• Los Angeles: Allowed 21 points and 341 total yards per game. Had 55 sacks and 22 interceptions. Held opponents under 20 points eight times.
• SLIGHT ADVANTAGE: LOS ANGELES The Rams might be a little better, but the 49ers are really good.

TOTAL TEAM POINTS:

San Francisco 21.5 Total Team Points The 49ers are averaging 23 points per game and Garoppolo has been playing well in the 2nd half of the season. They are running the ball effectively and are getting excellent production out of a solid receiving corps. Deebo Samuel was great at Green Bay and he is becoming a star. However, the LA defense is going to give the Niners all they want with their defensive front. I’m taking San Francisco UNDER 21.5 Total Team Points

Los Angeles 24.5 Total Team Points The Rams have the ability to score points on anybody. They are questionable with their running game and if they can any production there, they are a handful. The Stafford-Kupp combination is phenomenal and no duo have ever had a better season together. They will be going up against a 49ers defense that can get plenty of heat on the opposing quarterback and are coming off a game where they shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I like the Rams UNDER 24.5 points.

OVER/UNDER 46 Total Combined Team Points UNDER 46 combined points for me.

POINT SPREAD: Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite The story of this one is a tough, gritty 49ers team heading into Los Angeles with absolutely no fear of the home team. And why would they? In the last 3 weeks they have beat the Rams at LA, the Cowboys in Dallas, and Green Bay on the road in the snow.

They were underdogs in all three games and all the experts said the same thing; Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t good enough and will get them beat.

And, we still haven’t learned our lesson, because we are saying the same thing this week.

So, the Dudes are taking another approach.

The Rams are the better team and when they beat the 49ers on Sunday and head to the Super Bowl, it won’t be Garoppolo’s fault. It will because they are a little bit better across the board and they will figure out a way to win.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS: Los Angeles -3.5