49ers vs Rams Week 10 Preview: The Mac Attack Continues
The 49ers take on the Rams for the second time in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off of their best offensive performance in their victory over the New York Giants. It was the first time this season that the 49ers scored more than 30 points in a game, tallying two receiving touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. They will have to score that and some if they want to contain the visiting Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, who are on a hot streak. The 49ers handled this team once before with less talent, can they do it again?
Set The Stage
The 49ers saw a glimpse of what this Kyle Shanahan offense should look like last week, rushing the ball 40 times and executing in the red zone. Both feats were accomplished in their 34-24 victory in the Big Apple. The offense finally got a run game going, granted it was against the worst run defense in the league, but they finally found a rhythm on the ground. RB Christian McCaffrey rushed 28 times for 106 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 67 receiving yards and another score through the air. McCaffrey became the first player in NFL history with a rushing and receiving touchdown in 16 games, passing Marshall Faulk in this accomplishment!
RB Brian Robinson Jr. finally had his breakout game, rushing five times for 53 yards and his first score as a 49er. These two will be crucial with the Rams coming to Levi’s Stadium, as they will need to control the clock, and run the ball effectively against the leagues #1 defense.
The Rams have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL. QB Matthew Stafford, who was once thought to be a no-show this season due to a back injury in the off-season, has exploded for 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Currently sitting at +600 odds to win NFL MVP, Stafford is having one of, if not his best season of football in his 17 seasons in the league. Accompanied by star WRs in Puca Nacua and Davante Adams, a 6th offensive line, and a #1 ranked defense, the Rams are not coming to Santa Clara with the idea of losing. They play hard, they play methodically, and they play like a team looking for their second Super Bowl ring in the last five years.
Injuries
49ers
OUT
WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)
DE Mykel Williams (knee)
QUESTIONABLE
QB Brock Purdy (toe)
LB Dee Winters (knee, knee)
LB Tatum Bethune (thigh)
OL Ben Bartch (ankle)
DT Alfred Collins (hip)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
DL Keion White (groin)
Rams
QUESTIONABLE
WR Jordan Whittington (back)
Matchups to Watch
Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay Part II
Shanahan has the edge in this matchup, leading the clash 11-7. Kyle is known to play his disciples better than any other coach in the NFL, which did not look apparent against DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans. McVay, on the other hand, is looking to take this one from Shanahan, who beat his red hot Rams team with lesser talent in OT in their matchup in Week 5. This will be the game where both teams pull out all the stops, and leave everything on the field.
49ers Offensive Line vs. Rams Defensive Line
In a matchup that they were heavily unfavored, the 49ers OLine held up nicely against a fierce Giants pass rush, and as mentioned before, got the run game moving against the worst run-defense in the league. This week will be a complete 180, with the Rams having the top ranked overall defense. Although they have the 11th-ranked run defense, they lead the league in fewest explosive runs, and rank third in rushing yards per attempt allowed (3.5). The 49ers will have their hands full on offense, as there is talent on every level of this Rams defense.
Rams WRs vs. 49ers Secondary
Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks this 49ers secondary unit 23rd in the NFL, which is significantly worse than they have been in previous years. A lot of that is due to injury, and lack of veterans. The Rams are the league leaders in passing yards per game, averaging 258 YPG. Stafford threw for 389 yards and three scores in these teams first meeting in Week 5, and I expect him to have another great game against a depleted 49ers defense.
The 49ers Win, IF…
If the 49ers want to take a 4-0 division record, 7-3 overall record, and 2-0 sweep on the Rams to the bank this week, it starts with limiting this Rams offense. The defense will play the most pivotal role in this game, forcing this offense off the field, putting pressure on Stafford to make a *rare* mistake, and disrupting the rhythm this offense has been in the past few weeks. The offensive plan needs to be to run the ball, control the clock, and limit mistakes. QB Mac Jones has his best game of this season against the Rams in Week 5, and if the 49ers want any chance to be crowned victorious, he will need to imitate that game as closely as he can.
The Rams Win, IF…
In a very lopsided matchup, the healthiest team vs. the most injured team in the league, the Rams just need to keep their identity. Divisional matchups can always go either way, so the Rams need to play this game as if their lives depended on it. Stafford needs to pick apart this young 49ers secondary, and the one-two punch of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum should see plenty of opportunity against this very injured shadow of the 49ers defensive line. They also need to tighten up on special teams, with the emergence of Brian Robinson Jr. on kickoff returns, and a perfect 19-19 Eddy Pinero, the 49ers have completely turned their ST unit around, and the Rams can not let this game be decided by that same unit.
Final Thoughts, Spread, and Prediction
All in all, both teams have an opportunity to win this game. The Rams are 3.5 point favorites on the road in Santa Clara, with a 64% chance of winning this game per KalshiSports, but as mentioned before, divisional games are always 50/50 no matter the situation. Take Week 5 for instance, the 49ers were without Purdy, Kittle, and Jennings, and still pulled off the victory in overtime. This go around, it’s still Jones at the helm, but he’s been clicking with Kittle, Jennings looked more like himself in last week’s matchup, and Christian McCaffrey is still playing like an OPOY. This game will be close, as these teams always play each other hard.
Prediction: 49ers 31, Rams 24