Sports

Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: How to watch, start time and prediction

Rams coach Sean McVay, left, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan greet one another after a game at SoFi Stadium in September 2024.
Rams coach Sean McVay, left, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan greet one another after a game at SoFi Stadium in September 2024. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Rams coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan know each other — and each other’s schematic and play-calling tendencies — better than perhaps any two coaches in the NFL.

Close games between the teams are a constant.

Since they first squared off in 2017, nearly half of their 18 matchups have been decided by three points or fewer, including the 49ers’ 26-23 overtime victory on Oct. 2 at SoFi Stadium.

So expect another game that could come down to the final possession when the Rams play the 49ers in an NFC West game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

“Two good teams with two good staffs that are familiar with each other,” Rams tight end Tyler Higbee said in explaining the tight nature of the matchup, “and then you throw the rivalry part into it.”

McVay is 7-11 against Shanahan, his former mentor, though the Rams had won three in a row before the Week 5 loss that ended when 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner stopped Kyren Williams on a fourth-and-one play at the 49ers’ 11-yard line.

Rams kicker Joshua Karty missed a 53-yard field goal attempt and had an extra-point attempt blocked in the defeat.

The Rams this week moved to improve their season-long kicking-game issues by signing rookie kicker Harrison Mevis and veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide to the practice squad. Both will be elevated to the roster and play on Sunday.

Mevis, 23, made 89 of 106 field-goal attempts at Missouri, including one from 61 yards. In the United Football League this past season, he made 20 of 21 field-goal attempts.

The 49ers wasted no time addressing their own kicking-game issues.

After a season-opening defeat that included a missed field goal and a blocked kick, they released Jake Moody and signed Eddy Pineiro.

Pineiro has made all 19 of his field-goal attempts and 14 of 15 extra points.

Key injuries

Rams: WR Puka Nacua (chest, will play); WR Jordan Whittington (back, questionable), CB Darious Williams (shoulder, will play).

49ers: QB Brock Purdy (toe, questionable); WR Ricky Pearsall (knee, out); DE Mykel Williams (knee, out); LB Tatum Bethune (thigh, questionable); LB Dee Winters (knee, questionable); G Ben Bartch (ankle, questionable); DT Alfred Collins (hip, questionable); DT Kalia Davis (ankle, questionable); DE Keion White (groin, questionable).

How to watch and listen to Rams vs. 49ers

The Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play at 1:25 p.m. PST Sunday. The game will be shown on Fox throughout California and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM, 93.1 FM and 1330 AM (Español).

Betting lines and odds for Rams vs. 49ers

Who will win Rams vs. 49ers?

The Rams and Stafford will face a 49ers defense that will be without Warner, who suffered a season-ending ankle on Oct. 12. Shanahan no doubt will have another ball-control plan for quarterback Mac Jones but this time the Rams will outlast the 49ers. Rams 27, 49ers 24

Read more:Rams to replace Joshua Karty with Harrison Mevis as kicker vs. 49ers

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Ben Johnson: Bears could go with hot hand between D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai

Bears running back D'Andre Swift played well as the starter for the first seven games of the season, but when Swift missed last week with a groin injury, backup Kyle Monangai responded with a huge game, carrying 26 times for 176 yards. So if Swift returns on Sunday against the Giants, who will get the bulk of the work?

Head coach Ben Johnson says it may be a matter of letting the running backs alternate series to start, and then going with the one who's having the better game.

"I think normally it's been by series, this guy's going to start us off by series, but a longer drive we might need to sub someone in," Johnson said. "I think we'll find that right balance."

Johnson said he won't hesitate to stick with one running back who looks like he's feeling it.

"I do believe in a guy having a hot hand, so one guy, if he's feeling it and giving us a spark, we might lean on that a little longer," Johnson said. "We've got a really good room. Travis Homer, even he brings something to the running back room that you might not see. Everyone talks about Monangai and Swift, but with Homer and hopefully getting Roschon [Johnson] back, those guys will add another flavor as well, so I'm excited to see it."

Swift is listed as questionable this week and Johnson said everyone on the Bears knows Monangai is capable of doing what he did last week.

"No one was surprised to see that," Johnson said. "When you come to the building like he does and have his approach every single day, in meetings and walkthroughs and practice, you know what your'e going to get. He's a very consistent player."

And he's a player who could still get the bulk of the carries on Sunday, even if Swift is back.

Micah Parsons, Josh Jacobs remain limited in Friday's practice

Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) was downgraded to non-participation in Friday's practice.

Golden was limited on Thursday.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and defensive lineman Luke Van Ness (foot) remained out of practice.

Edge rusher Micah Parsons (pectoral) was among nine players who remained limited for a second consecutive day.

Offensive guard Aaron Banks (neck), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (foot), running back Josh Jacobs (rest), offensive lineman Zach Tom (back), linebacker Quay Walker (calf), wide receiver Christian Watson (knee), wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and defensive lineman Colby Wooden (shoulder) also were limited again.

The Packers added backup quarterback Malik Willis (calf) and wide receiver Malik Heath (hip) to the injury report as limited participants.

Wide receiver Savion Williams (foot) returned to limited work after missing Thursday's session.

More Articles …

  1. Rams WR Puka Nacua has no injury designation
  2. Cowboys 'hurting' after Kneeland death - Prescott
  3. Mac Jones will start for 49ers, with Brock Purdy questionable to dress
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