Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: Win/loss predictions for Week 6

In what many are considering a must-win game, the Los Angeles Rams (3-2) play host to the San Francisco 49ers (4-0) in Week 6. The Rams really can’t afford to drop a third straight game, as doing so would give the 49ers, and potentially the Seattle Seahawks (at CLE), a two game lead in the division.

The 49ers are beat up on offense, having lost a pair of key starters - FB Kyle Juszczyk and OT Mike McGlinchey - to knee injuries earlier this week. They’ll also be without Joe Staley, who suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2, so they’re fielding rookie Justin Skule and third-year Daniel Brunskill this Sunday.

Can the Rams’ pass rush, down OLB Clay Matthews, take advantage of a hobbled 49ers’ front and make it a long Sunday for Jimmy Garoppolo? The Turf Show Times staff make their predictions...

gorams (@AndrewKulick)

I would say Whiners 0, Rams 100 but SF has a better team than last year so I’ll go with Whiners 0, Rams 99.

Prediction: Rams win, 99-0

Eddie Perez (@iAmEddieP_)

The Rams’ offense seamed to have come back to some sorts of life in Week 5 so one can be optimistic. They do face a formidable foe in the 49ers this week. The most daunting thing would be how our offensive line fares against DeForest Buckner Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa & Co. I just can’t give the Rams a three game skid. Plus, I wanna see the Niners fall from their lil throne.

Prediction: Rams win, 27-23

Skye Sverdlin (@skyeattolah)

Shanahan vs. McVay finally looks like a really competitive matchup. The Niners answered plenty of questions with their MNF victory over the Browns, but still haven’t played a team with a winning record. I expect the Rams to run early, like they did in Seattle, to let their seemingly overmatched offensive line get going against a strong Niners front four. You never can tell with the Rams this year, but I’d guess they’ll be about their business for this one. Too much is at stake and they are still the more talented team, even if the gap has narrowed. Oh, and both starting tackles are out for Santa Clara, so no moral victories allowed this week. Handle it.

Prediction: Rams win, 31-23

Kristian Ramirez (@KristianRamirez)

The 49ers are unbeaten and the Rams are coming off of a two game losing streak. How things can change in a year. There was enough improvement last week against the Seahawks to make me think that this is the week we get back in the W column, but if we don’t, I may hit the panic button next week.

Prediction: Rams win, 27-24

Hotdaddywags (@Hotdaddywags)

It’s only week 6, but if the Rams are going to make a statement and defend their NFC West title, Sunday’s game is shaping up to be a must-win. By most measures, the Whiners pass the eye test. Nice running game, some young, developing weapons on the outside, an All-Pro tight end, and a defensive line stocked with high draft picks that should give the Rams’ “work in progress” O-Line their stiffest test of the season. Last Thursday’s game in Seattle was about as encouraging a loss as a team can take: take away a circus throw and catch from Wilson to Lockett, shore up some tackling and miscommunication in the secondary, and we’re probably sitting at 4-1 right now. Despite our uneven running game, Jared Goff and the offense look to have gotten back on track with 2 TE sets and a healthy dose of Young Gerald. Look for the Rams to establish the run early. and keep the SF pass rush off-balance with quick throws. Also look for Aaron Donald to get home against SF’s backup tackles. Jimmy G isn’t Russell Wilson, and Taylor Rapp’s return will help limit the long runs that SF used to gash Cleveland.

Prediction: Rams win, 34-31

Elijah Kim (@Big_EZK)

The Rams have dropped two in a row now after a heartbreaking loss that fell a bit wide right. LA gets to face the red-hot and undefeated San Francisco 49ers.Coming into the season, many has this game as a relatively easy win (all 14 of us did). Now, it’ll be much more difficult given the events of the season playing out so far.Oddly, I’m feeling very confident in the Rams to get the victory. The Rams have had extra time to prepare while SF has a short week. Home field matters again, along with the extra prep time.

Prediction: Rams win, 31-24

Brennan Smith (@BrennanJSmith)

Would you look at that? An absolutely crucial division game for the Rams in early October. The days of the San Francisco 49ers being a speed bump are over and after an absolute beat down of the Browns on Monday Night Football, San Fran is no joke. It’s absolutely paramount that Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein have their best games of the season. The 49ers pass rush is fearsome. On the other side, the Rams defense will have to play better and limit San Fran’s multi-faceted run game. Jared Goff will have to get the ball out quickly and the Rams will need some magic from one of the receivers. However, the 49ers are coming off a short week and just lost a key piece in fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

Prediction: Rams win, 27-20

Joey Aucoin (@LARamsRamsRams)

Are the San Francisco 49ers off to a hot start with an intense pass rush? You bet. Are the Rams going to destroy them? Absolutely. Goff throws 3 TDs and Gurley runs wild.

Prediction: Rams win, 42-9

Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP)

The Rams have entered the desperation zone as they cannot drop a third straight game. The 49ers look to be a true threat and complete roster, though the Rams get the job done at home in a close contest. The Rams’ defense will have a better performance than the past two games.

Prediction: Rams win, 28-21

seattlerams (@seattlerams_nfl)

I don’t care who the 49ers have played so far this season, they’re pretty damn good. It’s also no secret that the Rams OL has struggled a bit (that’s being kind, I know) through the early part of the season, and that team up north has a DL that would make Jeff Fisher warm and fuzzy. So, with that said, I think that I am going to lean towards the 49.....Wait, fuck that. I’m old enough to remember stupid Dana Stubblefield and Ken Norton Jr. Fuck them, fuck the 9’ers, and fuck anyone north of Fresno this weekend.

Prediction: Rams win, 35-31

3k (@3k_)

Prediction: Rams win, 38-13

Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_)

Honestly, I don’t have a great feeling about this one as I do think the 49ers are a much-improved team and deserve more respect than they’re getting for their impressive start to the year.

But despite the Rams’ underwhelming start, I still think they’re a very good football team and just needing to clean up a few things — on both sides of the ball. I’m trusting in McVay and his staff to ensure that happens in Week 6. Rams move to 4-2.

Prediction: Rams win, 27-24

---

Staff pick summary: 12 selections for the Rams, 0 for the 49ers