NFL Week 15 picks: Big implications behind Rams-49ers and Bills-Lions matchups
(Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles Times NFL writer Sam Farmer examines the matchups this week. Lines according to FanDuel Sportsbook (O/U = over/under). Record last week 10-3 (.769); season 141-67 (.678). Using point spreads with the scores Farmer predicted, the record against the spread last week would have been 5-8 (.385); season 111-95-2 (.539). Times Pacific. TV channels are Los Angeles local.
RAMS (7-6) AT 49ERS (6-7)
Can Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, shown throwing a pass in front of 49ers defensive lineman Malik Collins in September, beat San Francisco twice this season?
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Tonight, 5:15. TV: Channel 11, Prime Video
Line: 49ers by 2½. O/U: 49½.
How becoming a dad helped convince Sean McVay to remain Rams head coach
Veronika, Jordan and Sean McVay at the tyke’s first birthday party.
(Courtesy of McVay family)
After the Rams hired Sean McVay in 2017, general manager Les Snead was eager to see the 30-year-old’s coaching process at work.
During McVay’s first seven seasons, Snead often observed McVay in the coach’s office, busily scheming plays. Reading motivational books. Meeting with coaches, players and team executives.
So Snead was shocked last August when he witnessed something totally unexpected: McVay making faces and cooing baby talk on a video call.
“Of all the things I thought I would see Sean McVay do,” Snead said, “that was not on the list.”
Unlike last Rams-49ers meeting, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are hands on
Rams receiver Puka Nacua (17) keeps his toes inbounds to catch this pass past Bills cornerback Christian Benford.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
They were two moments seemingly frozen in time, balletic catches by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp that not only indicated the Rams offense could finally produce consistently but also could do it with panache.
In Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills, Nacua made a full-extension, toe-tap catch on the sideline that should be framed as artwork. Kupp’s leaping acrobatic touchdown catch harked to the veteran’s historic 2021 season.
It was not the first time the two receivers showed they were past injuries that sidelined them early this season. In a mid-November victory over the New England Patriots, both amassed more than 100 yards receiving.
But this was different.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. set to make his Rams debut vs. 49ers
Former Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is set to make his Rams debut against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.
(Peter Joneleit / Associated Press)
Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., a 2023 first-round draft pick claimed off waivers from the Washington Commanders, will make his Rams debut on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
Forbes was not among the inactives announced 90 minutes before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium.
Forbes was inactive for last Sunday’s 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills because he was still getting acclimated to the Rams’ playbook.
But starter Cobie Durant suffered a lung bruise against the Bills, putting Forbes on track to have a role against the 49ers opposite cornerback Darious Williams.
Veteran Ahkello Witherspoon has experience as a starter, but he did not play against the New Orleans Saints and played only limited defensive snaps against the Bills.
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Rams vs. 49ers inactives for Thursday night
Here are the players who will not be suiting up for the Rams and San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night:
Rams inactives: QB Stetson Bennett, CB Cobie Durant, RB Cody Schrader, OLB Brennan Jackson, OL Dylan McMahon, OL Warren McClendon Jr..
49ers inactives: QB Joshua Dobbs, LT Trent Williams, DL Khalil Davis, S Malik Mustapha, RB Israel Abanikanda, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Deebo Samuel frustrated about ‘not getting the ball!’ 49ers receiver wants it against Rams
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel complained in an X post that he isn’t getting the ball enough. The Rams visit the 49ers on Thursday night in a pivotal NFC West game.
(John Froschauer / Associated Press)
Deebo Samuel isn’t the first wide receiver to pout over a perceived dearth of touches, and he certainly won’t be the last. But the fact that he posted on X that he’s “not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” ahead of a Thursday night clash between Samuel’s San Francisco 49ers and the Rams adds a twist to what already should be an entertaining game.
It’s true that Samuel isn’t targeted as often this season, averaging six touches per game, one fewer than during his first five seasons. It’s also true that he isn’t doing as much with the ball when he gets it in his hands.
The six-year veteran has 40 receptions for 553 yards, continuing a slide that began in 2022, a year after he earned All-Pro honors by exploding for 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. He was rewarded with a three-year, $73.5-million contract extension.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford takes aim at a fifth game without an interception
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has not had a pass intercepted in four games. He’s never had a stretch of five games without an interception.
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
Matthew Stafford made NFL history several times this season, moving into the top 10 in career yards passing, completions and touchdowns.
On Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams’ quarterback won’t be chasing a record but he could achieve a personal milestone of sorts.
Stafford has not had a pass intercepted in his last four games, a streak he achieved only four other times in his 16-year career.
But he never extended that efficiency to five games.
Dre Greenlaw’s return could complicate things for the Rams
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw celebrates a tackle against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.
(John Locher / Associated Press)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams will see an unwelcome face across the line of scrimmage on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers announced Thursday afternoon that linebacker Dre Greenlaw had been activated from the practice squad to the roster.
Greenlaw, a sixth-year pro, suffered a knee injury in the Super Bowl last February while running onto the field from the sideline.
Greenlaw and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner compose one of the most dynamic linebacker duos in the NFL.
“He’s just a physical player,” Stafford said of Greenlaw this week, adding, “[He’s] coming back off of a tough injury that you don’t want to see anybody have. It’s a testament to him and the work that he’s put in to be back where he is right now.
“[He’s] ready to probably step out and play some. He’s an emotional leader and a physical leader for that team. I’m sure it’ll be a big boost for them.”
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Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: How to watch, prediction and betting odds
Rams coach Sean McVay celebrates a touchdown by running back Kyren Williams against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. A win over the 49ers on Thursday would boost the Rams’ chances of winning the NFC West.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The Rams have won two games in a row, are over .500 for the first time this season and, with three games against NFC West teams remaining, a playoff berth is within their sights.
Two weeks ago, the injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers appeared as if they might be the Rams’ most favorable division matchup. Not anymore. The 49ers are coming off a 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears and almost certainly will continue to scrap.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 320 yards and two touchdowns in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills, extending to four his streak of games without an interception.
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