The Los Angeles Rams have gone 4-6 in NFC Championship Games but have been victorious in each of their last three appearances. Their last loss in a conference title game came in 1989, their only postseason meeting with the San Francisco 49ers. Los Angeles (14-5) looks to avenge that defeat when it hosts San Francisco (12-7) in the 2022 NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The Rams also are hoping to halt their six-game losing streak in the all-time series by defeating the 49ers for the first time since the 2018 regular-season finale.
Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Rams vs. 49ers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 45.5. Before locking in any 49ers vs. Rams picks, make sure you see the latest NFL predictions from SportsLine's proven projection model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up over $7,500 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters championship weekend in the 2021 NFL playoffs on an incredible 137-97 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. Amazingly, it hasn't missed a top-rated pick since Week 14 of the regular season.
The model also ranked in the Top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past five years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has set its sights on Rams vs. 49ers on Sunday. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the NFL odds and trends for 49ers vs. Rams:
- Rams vs. 49ers spread: Los Angeles -3.5
- Rams vs. 49ers over-under: 45.5 points
- Rams vs. 49ers money line: Los Angeles -175, San Francisco +150
- LA: The Rams are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games
- SF: The 49ers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as road underdogs
Why the Rams can cover
Los Angeles has won seven of its last eight contests, with the only loss coming in overtime at home against San Francisco in Week 18 of the regular season. The Rams have scored at least 20 points in each of those eight games and produced 30 or more five times during that stretch. Matthew Stafford has thrown two touchdown passes and run for a score in both of Los Angeles' playoff victories. He's yet to throw an interception in the postseason after sharing the league lead during the regular season with 17 picks.
Cooper Kupp, who led the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and TD catches (16), has continued his sensational play in the postseason by hauling in 14 passes for 244 yards and a pair of scores. The 28-year-old joined Michael Irvin (1995) as the only players with 12 100-yard performances in a single season, including playoffs, in NFL history and notched two of them against the 49ers. The Rams' aerial attack has other dangerous weapons in Odell Beckham Jr., Van Jefferson and tight end Tyler Higbee, who made three TD catches in the two regular-season meetings with San Francisco.
Why the 49ers can cover
Jimmy Garoppolo has been much maligned during his time with San Francisco and isn't putting up impressive numbers, but he's notching victories. In three outings since sitting out a game with a thumb injury, the 30-year-old from Eastern Illinois has thrown just one touchdown pass and four interceptions. Every contest has been on the road, but the 49ers have come away with victories.
San Francisco is just the third team in the Super Bowl era to win multiple games in a postseason without a touchdown pass or run from its starting quarterback. Garoppolo's lack of TD production has not deterred the 49ers, as they have posted a 9-2 record when he has failed to throw a scoring pass. The club has excelled on the ground in those contests, rushing for 21 touchdowns and an average of 141.7 yards, and given up 17.9 points per contest.
How to make Rams vs. 49ers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total. In fact, it says neither starting quarterback throws two touchdown passes. It also says one side of the spread cashes in more than 50 percent of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins 49ers vs. Rams in the NFL playoffs 2022? And which side of the spread hits more than 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Rams vs. 49ers spread to be all over on Sunday, all from the advanced model that is up more than $7,500 on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
