Week 1 NFL Odds - Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers Game Preview

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Neither the Los Angeles Rams nor San Francisco 49ers are expected to make much noise in the NFC West this season with the former carrying +1450 odds and the latter checking in at +4000 to win the division. Regardless, the division rivals will cross paths in the second leg of the Week 1 Monday Night Football doubleheader. The Rams have a new home to call their own, and the Niners a completely new mentality with Chip Kelly now calling the shots. Each will look to make a solid debut in front of a nationally televised audience.

Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Monday, September 12, 2016, at 10:20 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium.

NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Rams -3
San Francisco 49ers +3
Over/Under 44.5

Odds Analysis

The Rams have received all the support from the betting public for this Week 1 tilt, but it comes away as feeling unwarranted. Los Angeles originally opened as 2 point road favorites, but was bet up to -3 +100 since. The heavy -120 juice resides with the home team, who if you remember, sprung the 20-3 outright win as 2.5 point dogs to the Vikings in this spot last season. Better than 67 percent of the betting handle is currently riding the Rams.

The betting public is voicing its opinion loud and clear with the total, as better than 91 percent of the wagers taken are banking on a limited amount of points hitting the board. With a likely quarterback showdown between Case Keenum and Blaine Gabbert shaping up, it makes perfect sense. The total opened at 45 and has since been bet down a half point to 44.5. A downward plunge is still expected as we get closer to kick off.

Injury Report

Carlos Hyde – Chip Kelly’s offense doesn’t work unless he’s able to get positive production from his ground attack. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been injury prone throughout the first two years of his professional career, and he’s currently dealing with a concussion incurred early on against the Packers in Week 3 of the preseason. He sat out the Niners final exhibition but is expected to suit up for this one. If he isn’t able to give it a go, San Francisco will be hard pressed to get much done on the ground against Aaron Donald and the rest of a Los Angeles defense looking to impose their will after taking a step back last season.

Revenge Angle

The last time Jeff Fisher went up against Chip Kelly, his squad was embarrassed 34-28 as 3.5 point Lincoln Financial Field underdogs back in 2014. The Rams got down 34-7 in the third quarter and only made the final score a bit more respectable by rattling off three unanswered touchdowns in garbage time.

The Rams have been on the fringe of being an NFC West contender logging seven wins in three of the last four seasons. If they’re to truly give both Arizona and Seattle a run for their money atop the division, this is the type of game they must win. The betting public isn’t a believer. LA’s win total currently sits at 7.5 with +186 juice on the over. They’re also listed at +1450 to win the division with the Seahawks and Cardinals around even money.

Los Angeles is doing a good job of talking the talk on Hark Knocks, but now it’s time to walk the walk!

Free ATS Pick

These teams have split their rivalry each of the last two seasons. The home teams prevailed in a pair of low scorers in 2015, but each road team secured a victory the previous year. Each of the last two matchups that have taken place by the Bay have combined to go well under the total moving the under to 3-0 the last three times the Niners hosted the Rams.

I’m not enamored with either of these teams. Each has its warts. The one thing I do know is that this is a make or break season for Jeff Fisher. Another sub .500 campaign and he can kiss his job security goodbye. His squad has the benefit of building something for quite some time now. On the other hand, San Francisco is praying their current roster makeup meshes seamlessly into Kelly’s system. It’s going to take some time.

Give me the Rams to win but the Niners to cover in an ugly low scorer.

NFL Odds: Rams 21, 49ers 20

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