Rams-49ers: 3 bold predictions for rivalry week

It is time to unleash Jordan Whittington to the world

The Los Angeles Rams home opener against the San Francisco 49ers was considered a test to see where LA stood against the best prior to the season beginning. In Week 3 it is now considered a must-win game in order to stay away from the dreaded 0-3 start. Both teams are entering the game with a list of injures which has leveled out the playing field a bit but is still a rocky matchup both on paper and in history.

Here are my bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup!

Jordan Whittington goes for two touchdowns

If you were hoping to see Jordan Whittington get his opportunity this year, well, careful what you wish for. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both sidelined with injuries going into Week 3’s home opener the rookie from Texas will have every opportunity to prove that his talents extend further than the preseason. Demarcus Robinson is expected to be Matthew Stafford’s go-to target for much of the day but it wouldn’t be surprising if the gameplan is centered around the rookie wide receiver. Whittington has just two receptions for 22 yards on the season after his would be touchdown in Week 1 on an end-around against the Detroit Lions was negated by a penalty. He will likely triple that output against a 49ers team that just got picked apart by Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson.

Sean McVay will need to get crafty this week to help negate some of the pressure on the injury-riddled offensive line and that just may mean getting receivers involved in the run game. We have already seen a small glimpse of what Whittington can do on end-arounds and you can expect it again this week.

Without a true number one receiver on the field Whittington will have his breakout game, recording one touchdown on the ground and another in the air.

Tre’Davious White shuts down Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco may not be as depleted with injuries as the Rams are going into the game but they are hurting. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are doubtful, Christian McCaffrey is on IR, and Nick Bosa is the newest name on the injury report with a questionable designation. That leaves Brandon Aiyuk as Brock Purdy’s top target.

Despite signing a $120,000,000 4-year contract at the beginning of the season, Aiyuk has put up pedestrian numbers in two weeks with just six receptions for 71 yards and has yet to find the endzone. Against the Minnesota Vikings he had just two receptions for 22 yards. If Chris Shula doesn’t decide to add any wrinkles to this week’s strategy Tre’Davious White will likely be covering Aiyuk for most of the day.

That could be a problem. White’s free-agency signing has been more on the bust side after allowing Jameson Williams in Week 1 and Marvin Harrison Jr. in Week 2 to both have their career breakout games. According to PFF, the former Buffalo Bill has allowed a passer rating of 153.3, 21.8 yards per reception, and an overall coverage grade of just 46.7.

While the results have not been great thus far, White’s struggles could be explained as some rust that needs to be shaken off after playing just four games in 2023 due to a torn Achilles. This could be the week we see vintage White.

With the Niners dwindled receiving corps I believe White will step up in coverage and lockdown Aiyuk for most of Sunday, allowing just 30 yards and no touchdowns.

LA wins by 16+ points, the highest spread since 2018

Bold? Yes. Possible? Maybe. The Rams enter Sunday’s contest as (-7.5) underdogs after getting torn a part by Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (41-10) in Week 2. Nothing went LA’s way last week, including the last score of the game which comically was Jared Verse’s first forced fumble turned into a Trey McBride 2-yard score. In Week 1 LA’s fate was decided by a coin-flip.

The Rams are in very dangerous territory. It is already unlikely they make the playoffs at 0-2, but 0-3 could wash away any hope of January football. In the history of the NFL only six teams have overcome a 0-3 start, the most recent being the Houston Texans in 2018. Since the NFL has expanded to 17 games it has never been done. Maybe that is the motivation this young team needs against their biggest rival.

With their backs against the wall and desperation setting in McVay will have to put together a “Hail Mary” of a gameplan to get back on track. Unfortunately for him it is against a team and coach that has had his number since entering the league, but desperation is a funny thing. It can be a catalyst to some of the best football on any given Sunday. After getting their teeth kicked in last week, McVay looked fired up in his press conference and knowing him, he has brought that same energy all week in preparation for the home opener.

Then there is Matthew Stafford, the soul crusher. As long as the Super Bowl winning quarterback is under center this team has a chance to do something special, even depleted with talent. The offensive line should improve slightly with Alaric Jackson returning from his two-game suspension, allowing Stafford just enough time to do what he does best. He will look to get some help from Kyren Williams who can establish a run game to keep San Francisco on their toes.

The defense will have to rebound as well after allowing nearly 500 yards of offense to the Cardinals last week. If they can play like they did against the Lions in the season opener Shula should be feeling pretty good about his unit. Jared Verse is already making a name for himself and will hope to find more success against a quarterback that isn’t as nimble as Murray.

The last time McVay had a decisive victory over Kyle Shanahan was in 2018 when the Rams beat the 49ers (48-32) in Week 17 to finish 13-3 on the season. It is finally time for things to go right for the Rams in 2024 which is why I am predicting that they will not only cover the spread, but win by 16+ points in a much needed bounce back victory.

What are your Bold Predictions this week? Let us know in the comments below!