Week Fifteen Crystal Ball - Thursday: Something has to give in Santa Clara
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU is ready for a figurative football war this evening in Santa Clara as the suddenly hot Rams (7-6, 3-3 away) visit the desperate 49ers (6-7, 4-3).
Tonight’s contest marks the 152nd meeting between these rivals, who have squared off since 1950. The first contest: a 35-14 win for LA and their star quarterback and kicker, the one and only Bob Waterfield.
The late Rams star was a legendary performer - Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1965 - who once paired with another HOFer, Norm Van Brocklin, to form the best quarterbacking duo the NFL has ever seen. In fact, in that inaugural win over San Fran, they combined for 23 pass attempts and Waterfield kicked five extra points.
As for tonight, it’s the 17th matchup between Messrs. McVay and Shanahan since they became head coaches of their respective teams in 2017. Kyle holds a 10-6 edge against his former Washington coaching mate, but Sean has taken the last two meetings.
The Rams face an injured San Fran squad with star offensive tackle Trent Williams out for the fourth straight week with an ankle injury and all-world pass rusher Joey Bosa questionable with hip and oblique issues. Throw in the fact that Christian McCaffrey is already on the shelf (Achilles), and that doesn’t bode well.
Shanahan’s squad did win last Sunday for the first time in four weeks, but this Rams team has been hot for two months, posting a 6-2 record over that span. One big key: the return to health of Puka Nacua, who has led LA in receiving five straight weeks. Indeed, last year’s rookie sensation is suddenly turning into one of the top receivers in the league.
I expect the Niners to play hard - and maybe even well - but it won’t be enough against a Rams team that seems to be on a postseason mission. Call it LA, 30-27.
The Week Fourteen Record was 8-6 (.571), moving the season mark to 132-76 (.635). That’s it for tonight, folks. I’ll be back in touch this weekend. God bless!