Rams vs 49ers Predictions: 49ers to shock the NFL again

As part of our expanding sports coverage here at BettingOdds.com we have been covering the NFL weekly and have match previews and betting tips for both the Championship games, leading right up to Superbowl LVI, which you can find on our NFL page. We've asked our US sports specialist @OddsTerrier to check out the San Francisco 49ers trip to the Los Angeles Rams and provide two picks for your attention.

As a big Chiefs fan, I've asked my colleague Neil Monnery to cover the AFC game so I'm not accused of bias. I also secretly wanted to cover this rare NFC Intra-divisional, Championship game that promises to be an extremely tight match-up. The Rams are a +3.5 favourite here after their walk-off win versus the Bucs. Should they win this one they will become only the second team ever to play a Super Bowl at their home ground (the last coming last year at the Raymond James in Tampa). They would also be the first team ever to play the Championship game and the season showpiece at their home ground.

To do that however, they have to beat the team with possibly the most momentum of any coming into the Championship Round - the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners have been playing to try and get into the playoffs since week 10 after an awful start. They have since won 7 of 9 in the regular season and then shocked the NFL in dethroning the Cowboys in Dallas, then more miraculously, the Packers in a snow-globe Green Bay to reach this NFC Championship game. Can they pull off one more shock in Los Angeles to reach the Super Bowl back here at the So-Fi in 2 weeks time?

First up and I'm gonna put my neck on the line and go for the Niners on the money line. I umm-ed and ahh-ed about this one all week and flipped between the two. On paper the Rams should win but this game is being played on artificial turf.

The 49ers have shown remarkable resilience this season and whilst they probably have the worst QB here, they have other big big weapons in WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle, RB Eli Mitchell and perhaps more importantly DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner. 

Rams QB Matt Stafford enters this game in hot form, throwing 75% completion for 568 yards and six combined touchdowns. However, the 49ers had his number twice in the regular season - claiming four interceptions - leading to two losses for the Rams. The Niners smashed the Rams at home in week 10, 31-10 and then eked out an overtime win as recently as week 18. I've just got a feeling that Kyle Shanahan has his old Washington colleague, Sean Mcvay's number and when the crunch comes, the 49ers will prevail. 

Next up and we've combined our first pick with a couple of player props.

Tyler Higbee is the Rams tight end and their go to guy when the WR duo of Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr are locked up. Higbee scored three TD's in the two games against the 49ers this season and I expect them to target him again when in the red zone. 

Next up it's our old friend Deebo Samuel who has been on another level this year. He went for 1405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards in the regular and '19 problemz' is a problem for any team. He scored a combined 14 TD's and it's just a question of if he's going to beat you short or long.

The 3 bets combined work out just short of 15/1 at Paddy Power.

Please enjoy the football and bet responsibly.