The Los Angeles Rams had a better regular season record and will host the NFC Championship, but they have to clear a mental block against their division rival San Francisco 49ers to advance to Super Bowl LVI. Two of LA’s five losses were to the Niners, extending their overall losing streak in the series to six. The Rams could have avoided this matchup by taking care of business in the regular season finale however they let a 17-point lead slip away in a 27-24 setback that allowed the Niners to reach the postseason. That was the first of three straight road upsets for SF, who defeated Dallas and top-seed Green Bay in the first two rounds. The Rams opened as a 3-point favorite to reach their second Super Bowl in four seasons.
The NFC Championship game will take place on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA and will be televised on FOX.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
San Francisco 49ers +3
Los Angeles Rams -3
Total 46
Odds Analysis
To get this far in the playoffs you have to be playing well, and both teams are. The runs actually extended into the regular season with the Niners winning nine of their past 11 games and the Rams going 7-1 in their previous eight. Despite losing both games to the Niners this season and six straight overall, the Rams hit the board as a 3-point favorite with no movement on the spread. That’s likely to come as we get closer to kickoff. The Niners have been road warriors over the past month with three straight upset wins. They beat LA in Week 18 as 3.5-point dog to earn a postseason berth and followed that by taking down Dallas and Green Bay. They’ve won four in a row overall with payouts in each while going 9-2 SU and ATS in their past 11 games. LA’s only loss in its last eight games was to the Niners. They are 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in that stretch. With six straight wins and five payouts over the Rams, the Niners feel confident about their chances.
Player to Watch
Quarterback play is always pivotal and especially so in the postseason when the stakes are higher. Matthew Stafford was acquired to take the Rams to the next level after Sean McVay and management lost faith in Jared Goff. So far the move looks brilliant. Stafford never won a playoff game in three starts with Detroit, so he wasn’t brought in because of his playoff experience. But he’s flourished in his first season because he has weapons to work with. Stafford is a part of the offense instead of being the offense. And I guess you can say he’s relishing the moment of his first playoff run.
The second half of the season wasn’t his best. He threw 13 of his NFL high tying 17 interceptions over the last nine games with the Rams going 5-4. But he’s been masterful in two playoff games completing nearly 75 percent of his passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns without being picked off. Valuing the football will be a key for the Rams success. Stafford threw two interceptions in each of the two games against the Niners with one being returned for a TD in the first meeting and another ending the Week 18 overtime contest.
Key Injury
Led by 12.5 sacks from Aaron Donald the Rams posted the third-highest sack total during the regular season with 50. And the front did a wonderful job pressuring Tom Brady in last week’s divisional matchup recording three sacks and six hits. Protecting Jimmy Garoppolo is a must if the Niners can’t effectively run the football and that job could be more difficult if left tackle Trent Williams is unable to play. Williams sustained an ankle injury in the Green Bay game with tests showing some older damage in the area. Williams was seen leaving Lambeau Field on crutches, but his situation will be monitored during the week.
Free ATS Pick
The Niners played a strong game defensively and easily won the special teams battle in Green Bay. They will have to excel in both areas again if they’re going to beat the Rams for the third time this season. It would also help to get better offensive production. The Niners accumulated only 212 total yards against the Packers and the offense failed to produce a touchdown. The conditions played a role, but Jimmy Garoppolo hasn’t been at his best. And with the Rams so close to playing a Super Bowl in their home stadium I don’t think they’ll let it slip away.
NFL Pick: Los Angeles Rams -3 / UNDER 46
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
