The 49ers are in some bad shape injury-wise, specifically left tackle Trent Williams. The Rams are in good shape and would win the NFC West with a victory. I obviously think they get it but not giving 3.5.

If the Rams are indeed all-in like they say, they must come through in this game. Kyle Shanahan’s dominance of Sean McVay is well-known at this point, but that also gives McVay and Los Angeles plenty of motivation to end that talk for good. (As if homefield advantage through the divisional round is not enough of a motivator.) The Rams are more talented on both sides of the ball, and if Matthew Stafford focuses on taking care of the ball, they would have the quarterback advantage given Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury and neophyte Trey Lance’s inexperience. LA must treat this like a playoff game, and it’s far to call this put up or shut up time.

The 49ers have famously won five straight games against the Rams. The reason? San Francisco is built to ground and pound the ball, and Los Angeles is not built to stop that. The 49ers' quarterback situation is not ideal but won't be an issue. Give me San Francisco in a tight game.

As a local, I have a pretty good read on the Rams, who are tired of hearing how the 49ers have dominated them recently (five straight wins). Jimmy Garoppolo is not 100 percent, and Trey Lance is a rookie who would be making his second career road start. No matter which QB starts for San Francisco, the Rams have the edge. The Rams (sixth) have played a much tougher schedule than the Niners (22nd). The 49ers are 2-2 SU and 1-4 ATS on turf this season, while the Rams are 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS on artificial surfaces. The public is all over the underdog, but take the Rams (minus the points) to the bank.

Kyle Shanahan has had Sean McVay's number in this series and demonstrated that again earlier this year in a blowout win. But I think that history is outweighed by the 49ers' QB situation. They'll either have Trey Lance, who looked overmatched for much of last week even if San Francisco ultimately earned a comfortable win, or a less than 100% Jimmy Garoppolo. In either situation, I expect a big day for the Rams defense. Matthew Stafford has to avoid awful picks, but the 49ers have just seven interceptions on the year and put their top two corners on the COVID list. Rams get it done here.