Matchup: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

Date & Time: Thursday, October 2, 8:16 PM EST

Spread: Rams -8.5

Total: 43.5

An NFC West rivalry is renewed under the Thursday night lights, but it will be a lopsided affair if the injury reports are any indication. The Los Angeles Rams host a San Francisco 49ers team that will be without several crucial offensive players, making the Rams heavy 8.5-point favorites at home.

49ers Outlook: Offense Severely Shorthanded

The primary story for San Francisco is the devastating injury report released ahead of this matchup. The 49ers have officially ruled out starting quarterback Brock Purdy, along with wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall (Results 5, 18).

Losing a starting quarterback is a significant blow for any team, but losing two key pass-catchers simultaneously cripples the offense. The 49ers will be forced to turn to their backup quarterback in a hostile road environment with a depleted receiving corps. This puts immense pressure on the rest of the offense to generate points and makes it difficult to envision them keeping pace with the Rams.

Rams Outlook: Capitalizing on a Wounded Rival

The Rams enter this divisional clash in a much healthier position and are poised to take advantage of their rival’s misfortune. While they are heavily favored, they are not without their own injury concerns.

According to team reports, starting right tackle Rob Havenstein is listed as doubtful to play due to an ankle injury (Result 2). His absence could create an opportunity for the 49ers’ pass rush to disrupt the Rams’ offense. However, facing a 49ers offense that will likely struggle to sustain drives, the Rams’ defense should be well-rested and prepared to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Prediction

This game hinges almost entirely on the 49ers’ injuries. It’s challenging for any team to win on the road in a divisional game, let alone when missing its starting quarterback and two key wide receivers. The Rams know they have a prime opportunity to secure a crucial division win.

While the 8.5-point spread is large for a rivalry game, the personnel mismatches are too significant to ignore. The 49ers’ offense will likely struggle to move the ball and score, which also brings the under into play. The Rams should be able to control the game on both sides of the ball, even with Havenstein’s potential absence.

Prediction: Rams 27, 49ers 13

The Pick: Rams -8.5

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Sources:
49ers Injury Report | San Francisco 49ers – 49ers.com
San Francisco 49ers Injury Status – ESPN
49ers Injury Report | San Francisco 49ers – 49ers.com
49ers injury report : r/buffalobills
Buccaneers-49ers Injury Report: Mayfield, Evans and Whitehead …
49ers Injury report today. Purdy was limited again. : r/buffalobills
San Francisco 49ers Injury Report and Status 2025-26 – CBSSports …
49ers injury report: Nick Zakelj to have season-ending biceps surgery
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