A couple of 3-1 teams will be showcased in the Week 5 edition of Thursday Night Football, with NFC West rivals the 49ers and Rams getting after it in Los Angeles.
It’s been a much different path to 3-1 for each of the teams, and I think the Rams are worthy of being favored by 5.5, while I also think a good case can be made for the Under given the low scoring we’ve seen in 49ers games this season.
Let’s break it down in our early 49ers vs Rams predictions and NFL picks for Thursday, October 2.
49ers vs Rams predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early TNF spread pick: Rams -5.5
Playing on a short week is often a tough task in the NFL, and it can be especially challenging if your team is travelling and being held together with scotch tape, which is the case for the San Francisco 49ers, who’ve already been bitten hard by the injury bug. Who could’ve seen that coming?
We know their best defender, Nick Bosa, is out for the season, while one of their top offensive players, George Kittle, is out until at least next week. More gas has been thrown on the fire as leading receiver Ricky Pearsall is dealing with a PCL injury, which has his status for the game up in the air.
There’s just not a lot of positives for the 49ers right now when you throw in starting QB Brock Purdy looking bad in his return from injury in Week 4. Purdy threw two picks in a losing effort at home against Jacksonville.
With this being San Francisco’s toughest matchup of the season to date, I think the wheels could fall off for the 49ers. How many key injuries can they overcome as the level of competition rises?
Let’s not forget, they’re coming off a season where they lost seven of their last eight games. I think they could start looking like that version of the team again soon against a Rams team that’s on an 11-4 ATS run as a betting favorite.
Early TNF total pick: Under 47
I think we could be in for a lower-scoring matchup as it’s been mainly positive for both defenses so far in 2025.
Each ranks in the Top 10 in yards per play allowed, and each has been stepping up on key third downs, with each in the top seven in opponent third down conversion percentage. This has led to each team allowing just 1.8 offensive touchdowns per game.
On the offensive side of the ball, each has struggled in the red zone, while the 49ers are struggling to put up points as they currently rank 22nd in scoring with 20.0 points per game.
With both defenses excelling and each offense struggling to finish drives, this matchup sets up well for an Under with a total as high as 47.
49ers vs Rams odds
- 49ers vs Rams spread: Rams 5.5
- 49ers vs Rams moneyline: 49ers +210, Rams -260
- 49ers vs Rams Over/Under: 47
How to watch 49ers vs Rams
- Rams vs. 49ers matchup
- Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025, 8:15 p.m. ET
- City: Los Angeles
- Venue: SoFi Stadium
- TV: Prime Video
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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