San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams, Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
Sunday, December 26, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Rams -2
Current Line: Rams -2.5
Opening Total: 39.5
Current Total: 39.5
Money Line: Rams -140 / 49ers +120
Believe it or not, the San Francisco 49ers (5-9) can still win the NFC West and make the playoffs despite their 0-5 start. However, the 49ers must win their last two games to accomplish that feat and need to beat the St. Louis Rams (6-8) on the road first or else they will be officially eliminated.
The Rams (-2.5) have dropped consecutive home games for the first time this season after going 4-1 in their first five at the Edward Jones Dome. They are coming off a 27-13 setback at home to Kansas City and have lost two in a row for the third time this year. The good news is that they have yet to lose three straight and will be playing back-to-back games at home for just the second time this season.
The biggest concern for St. Louis is on the offensive side of the ball, as rookie quarterback Sam Bradford has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games. Bradford seemed to be hitting his stride after Week 5, throwing 11 touchdown passes and only one interception during a six-game stretch. But he has been picked off five times in the last three games without passing for a score.
While Bradford has been set firmly as the starter during his first year despite some bumps in the road, San Francisco has dealt with quarterback issues throughout the season. 49ers head coach Mike Singletary is rumored to be going back to former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith under center following Alex Smith’s performance in a 34-7 loss at San Diego last Thursday.
Alex Smith completed 19 of 29 passes for 165 yards with no touchdowns and an interception against the Chargers while getting sacked six times for 34 yards. He did not play in the first meeting with the Rams due to a shoulder injury, as Troy Smith threw for a season-high 356 yards in a 23-20 overtime victory. Troy Smith has led San Francisco to wins in three of his five starts but dropped two of his last three before getting replaced by Alex Smith.
The 49ers have won the last five meetings with St. Louis but are 3-2 against the spread in those games with the UNDER cashing in three of the last four. The Rams have failed to cover two straight for the first time this season but remain one of the top teams vs. the line with a 9-5 mark.
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