NFL Week 3 Odds for Thursday Night: LA Rams at San Francisco

NFL Week 3 Odds for Thursday Night: LA Rams at San Francisco

Written by on September 19, 2017

The Los Angeles Rams have a much higher ceiling this season than they did in 2016, as they showed in a 46-9 beating of the Colts in Week One. They did suffer a setback last week, losing at home to Washington, 27-20. However, they still have an excellent chance to get some revenge against the San Francisco 49ers, whose two wins a year ago both came against the Rams. San Francisco is 0-2, despite holding the Seattle Seahawks to nine points on Sunday. As these two teams renew a rivalry in NFL Week 3, a rivalry that spans the decades, take a look at our NFL betting preview before you make your wagers.

LA Rams at San Francisco Thursday Night Football Betting Preview for Week 3

When: Monday, September 18, 2017, 8:30pm ET Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA TV: NBC Radio: ESPNLA 710AM (LA) / KNBR 680 (San Francisco) Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Week 3 Odds: L.A. Rams -2.5

Series History

  • Total Meetings: 135
  • First Meeting: October 1st, 1950. Kezar Stadium. San Francisco, California
  • Last Meeting: December 24th, 2016. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Los Angeles, California
  • All-Time Series: San Francisco 68-64-3
  • Largest Margin of Victory: San Francisco 48-0 (1987)
  • Longest Win Streak: Los Angeles 17 (1990-1998)
  • Current Win Streak: San Francisco 3

Why should you bet on the Rams?

The Rams came out with a strong start in all phases to the season, but it was a combination of mistakes by the offense and defense that cost them against Washington. The Rams let the Redskins drive the length of the field for a late touchdown that would prove to be the game-winner. However, Jared Goff did have a chance to throw a touchdown pass to tie the game but threw an interception instead. On the day, Goff went 15 for 25 for 224 yards, and tailback Todd Gurley carried the ball 16 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Wade Phillips came to the Rams with a terrific reputation as a defensive coordinator, but his scheme had no answer for the Washington running game, which averaged more than five yards per attempt on the day. Coming in, the Redskins had questions about their running attack and their offensive line, and they answered them all against the Rams. If you like Los Angeles in this game, you see Goff getting back on track and the Rams’ defense containing the San Francisco attack.

Why should you put your money on the 49ers?

Brian Hoyer went just 15 for 27 against the Seattle Seahawks, picking up just 99 yards and throwing an interception. The Legion of Boom was present in full force and kept the 49er wide receivers from finding any space. However, the offense prospered with tailback Carlos Hyde, who picked up 124 yards on 15 attempts. If he can find running room against the Rams, then the 49ers could find some success moving the ball up and down the field. Against the Seahawks, though, San Francisco was only able to turn all that movement into a pair of field goals. Given that they have scored a total of 12 points through two games, this could be a long season for the San Francisco offense. Are the 49ers a safe bet in NFL Week 3? The Niners played inspired defense, though. Up at boisterous CenturyLink Field, the San Francisco defense sacked Russell Wilson three times, and NaVorro Bowman led the way with 10 total tackles on the day. It is hard to argue that the Rams have more offensive talent at their disposal than Seattle does — and the Niners put on this defensive straitjacket on the road. Returning home, they should look even better. But can they keep the Rams out of the end zone? Given how well Goff threw the ball in Week One (and at times in Week Two), this will be a difficult proposition.

Latest NFL Week 3 Trends

  • LA Rams is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games
  • LA Rams is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Rams’s last 6 games
  • San Francisco is 4-12-1 ATS in its last 17 games
  • San Francisco is 1-16 SU in its last 17 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 18 of San Francisco’s last 24 games at home

NFL Week 3Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t find the end zone in each of their first two games, so their offensive struggles go beyond what the 49ers were able to accomplish on defense. As long as San Francisco keeps with the Brian Hoyer experiment, their offense will continue to struggle with simply moving the ball up and down the field, and you can express awful interceptions late in the football game. I like the Rams to score much more handily, and I see them winning this NFC West battle by a 27-9 score.