49ers vs. Rams: Preview, Prediction, Streaming, and more.

The 49ers make their SoFi Stadium Debut... only, this time, they are the massive underdogs.

Sir Lancelot

Nov 29, 2020

Gameday

San Francisco 49ers (4-6) vs. Los Angeles Rams (7-3) at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Kickoff: 1:05 PM PST, 4:05 PM EST
Weather: 73 F° clear, 1 MPH, 14% humidity, 0% precipitation
Spread: LAR -6.5
Over/Under: 44.5 points
Channel: FOX, FuboTV, Streaming (in comments)
Radio: KNBR 680, KSAN 107.7, SiriusXM Channel 27
Announcers (FOX): Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Jennifer Hale

Injury Report (will be updated):

San Francisco 49ers:

OUT:
- Tevin Coleman
- K’Waun Williams
- Tom Compton
- Chris Edwards (inactive)
- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- Ahkello Witherspoon (inactive)
QUESTIONABLE:
- Javon Kinlaw
- Jordan Reed
- Dre Greenlaw
- Jordan Reed
- Azeez Al-Shaair

Los Angeles Rams

OUT:
- Trishton Jackson
- Derek Rivers
- Raymond Calais

DOUBTFUL:
- Terrell Lewis (will not play)

QUESTIONABLE:
- Tyler Higbee (Will play)
- Brian Allen (will not play)

(Santa Clara) - That felt like the longest bye week ever. And sadly, unlike what you want from a bye week - it was packed with news. The 49ers’ own stadium is on IR now… no really. Santa Clara County is in the purple tier of COVID-19, and has seen cases steadily rise following Thanksgiving. As precautionary measures, they have issued new restrictions, including a 14 day quarantine for those who are traveling to Santa Clara county from at least 150 miles away. This also includes a three week ban on all contact sports at every level, including the 49ers… meaning that as you already have heard, for the next three weeks and possibly longer, depending on how the COVID-19 fight goes, the 49ers are without a home. They are currently looking at contingency plans, as the Cardinals have offered to let the 49ers use their stadium. Rumors also have the 49ers looking at Las Vegas and the new Allegiant Stadium with their old neighbor in the Raiders… as well as to an abandoned city in San Diego, which still has Qualcomm Stadium. The latter is only a rumor, but it makes no sense considering that it has been reported that the NFL has mandated that the 49ers must play in a current NFL stadium. Perhaps they will make an exception.

“We are aware of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s emergency directive. We are working with the NFL and our partners on operational plans and will share details as they are confirmed.”

But for now, no Kezar Stadium and no Coliseum. Sadly.

On to the Rams. The 49ers make their debut in SoFi Stadium, or what I dub it as, KroenkeWorld. The $5,000,000,000 stadium is an engineering and architectural marvel, and certainly the poster boy of new stadiums along with the spaceship known as Allegiant Stadium in Vegas.

The 49ers are getting back a ton of reinforcements today:

Richard Sherman
Raheem Mostert
Jeff Wilson Jr
Deebo Samuel

Mostert, Wilson, and Deebo should provide a spark plug to what has been a sluggish offense over the past couple weeks. However, Jalen Ramsey has been playing like the best corner in the league over the past couple of weeks as well, and combined with the rookie S Jordan Fuller who has been lights out as well, the 49ers may lean heavily on their run game, which Mostert is the biggest beneficiary of.

The matchup to watch today - Colton McKivitz, the rookie 5th round pick is making his first start today after Tom Compton was concussed during practice earlier this week. This might be the worst game to make your debut as a starter… Aaron Donald will be lining up opposite him, and the Rams defense will likely look to test McKivitz early.

Courtesy of 49ers Communications:

Predictions by FTN Staff

SF 23 v. LAR 21 - Shanafandom

Prediction: 49ers win 23-21. I won’t be predicting many more wins for the Niners. The Rams are the much better team, but the Niners match up very well against LA. Sherman at corner is huge, and Mostert means that there is a run game again. Last time, Jimmy dinked and dunked to a win. That can happen again without Jimmy. It will be an ugly game, and there needs to be a few lucky bounces. I just don’t see San Francisco losing every remaining game.
Player of The Game: Deebo Samuel. Mostert will be the main reason the offense can open up, but Deebo is in a great spot. He plays very well against the Rams Ramsey is a tough matchup but Deebo isn’t a traditional style of receiver, I think he’ll be fine

NA - Patrick Holloway

Prediction: No prediction from Pat today. He’s busy, wish him luck.

SF 17 v. LAR 30 - Riqonator

Prediction: I just don’t see how the 49ers offense can get going against a team like the Rams. Sadly. They are built at exactly the right positions to stop our offense and without Aiyuk or Kittle, the explosiveness in the passing game is gone. Deebo needs to have a game.
Player of the Game: Tarvarius Moore - He’s likely playing for a starting gig next year. I think he will show out.

SF 21 v. LAR 21 - SportyMiner

Prediction: I think we'll get overtime. This week is a fiercely contested game (and no-one ever predicts a tie game, so I look smart if it happens haha). We'll need to get the ball out quick as we did last time and with McKivitz ay G and Skule at LT, Mullens will be under A LOT of pressure. Although this is a weakness, Shanahan is actually good at scheming around our obvious weaknesses and I suspect will draw plays that leverage this increased pressure (look for Donald to play EDGE a few snaps too). A lot of touches for Mostert and Deebo, but with Aiyuk likely on COVID list not sure it's enough to overcome a stingy Rams D [note, if he's available, that's another score in my opinion].
However, the Rams will have a tough evening against Saleh's boys, possibly reinforced with a healthy Sherm to boot. If we can't start generating some better pressure on the line (Saleh has finally started to blitz a bit more) then we might be able to force Goff in to a couple miss-throws and interceptions. If we win this game, it will because of DEF frustrating the Rams OFF and getting some interceptions. Would love to see Sherm do that on his return.
It's too close to call for me; head says Rams as they are the better team on paper, but gut says Niners match well and get some luck. Let's call it a tie and see who wins the overtime lottery.
Player of the Game: Tough call. Mostert may run wild on Offense but doubt he scores enough to warrant POTG. I think it will be DEF; I don't think our DL get enough sacks, so it will down to interceptions and down-line or redzone stops. Hard to guess who gets an interception... So when in doubt, put your money on my man Warner. He's the boss today. I'll go one further and call a forced fumble from him too, why not. Trademark punch of the ball.

SF 20 v. LAR 14 - El Shorts

Prediction: 49ers win 20-14. Yeah that’s right - I’m STILL predicting a Niners win! I think the bye week will have done the Niners well, especially when Richard Sherman, Deebo Samuel, and Raheem Mostert all return this week. The Niners will still be missing some key offensive lineman, and with Aaron Donald getting Colton McKivitz at RG, the Niners would do best to take the ball from sideline to sideline, with a lot of Deebo jet sweeps and Mostert outside runs with McGlinchey leading the way. Robert Saleh is very familiar with the Rams offense, and after a rousing victory vs. the Bucs on Monday night, I could see the Rams falling into a trap game mentality for this one.

Player of the Game: Raheem Mostert - the Rams defense may be keyed in on Deebo after the last matchup, which means Shanahan will use him as a decoy while Mostert gashes the Rams for 110+ rushing yards and a touchdown.

2 of 4 FTN contributors pick the 49ers to win, and one picks a tie. 50% on Slack pick the Rams. This could shape up to be a very weird game.

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