Week 18 Showdown: Players to Keep an Eye on in 49ers vs Rams Matchup

San Francisco 49ers to use backup players in sunday’s game against Los Angeles. The San Francisco 49ers, clinched the No. 1 seed in their last game against the Commanders

The San Francisco 49ers, having secured the top seed, now face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. The Rams are favored by 7.5 points, offering different betting odds. The 49ers plan to rest quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Additionally, several key players like Arik Armstead, Ji’Ayir Brown, Ross Dwelley, Tashaun Gipson, Ambry Thomas, and Jauan Jennings won’t be playing due to various injuries. Others like Kyle Juszczyk, John Feliciano, and Danny Gray are questionable. To compensate for these absences, the 49ers activated Ray-Ray McCloud from the Injured Reserve list and promoted Tayler Hawkins and Jeremy McNichols from the practice squad.

Dwelley’s placement on the Injured Reserve list in exchange for McCloud signals the end of his season. As the game approaches, the 49ers are considered 4.5-point favorites as per DraftKings Sportsbook, with a set over/under of 41 points. Here’s a rundown on the 49ers’ upcoming opponent for Sunday’s matchup.

The Los Angeles Rams have surged as one of the NFL’s top teams in the latter half of the season, winning six of their last seven games. This impressive streak secured their playoff berth last weekend.

With their playoff spot secured, the Rams are opting to rest several key players like Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and Ernest Jones. Injuries have sidelined Joe Noteboom and Tyler Higbee. This sets the stage for backup quarterback Carson Wentz to lead the team against Sam Darnold, supported mostly by backup players except for wideout Puka Nacua, closing in on the rookie receiving record. Despite missing some starters, the Rams plan to field most of their starting defense, excluding Donald and Jones, aiming for a win to secure the NFC’s No. 6 seed.

Securing victories remains crucial, but the primary goal for this matchup is to exit the game with minimal injuries, prioritizing player health above all else. Although there’s little at stake, the 49ers must avoid injuries to key players for the remainder of the season. While Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey are already sidelined, they can’t afford more inactive players due to existing injuries.

Expect starters to see limited playtime, creating an intriguing mix of snaps for both starters and backups. The Rams follow a similar strategy, ruling out several players ahead of the game. The cautionary tale of the Los Angeles Chargers last season, who risked their starters and lost a key player to injury, highlights the importance of health, especially for the 49ers eyeing a potential Super Bowl run as the NFC’s top seed. Turnovers will be pivotal, particularly with Sam Darnold leading the 49ers. Despite his experience, Darnold has a history of turnovers, throwing 56 interceptions and fumbling 36

He will make his season debut as a starter on Sunday, aiming to rebound from an interception thrown against the Baltimore Ravens during the Christmas comeback. On the other side, Carson Wentz, known for 66 interceptions and 72 fumbles in 94 career games, will lead the Rams. Wentz joined the Rams recently and saw limited action in their win over the Cardinals. Both quarterbacks have struggled with turnovers, hinting at a potential defensive showdown. In terms of the run game, the 49ers managed well last week without Christian McCaffrey, with Elijah Mitchell amassing 80 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders. Facing the Rams, ranked 12th in NFL run defense, presents a tougher challenge. Though uncertain about the Rams’ defensive starters’ playing time, the 49ers plan to rely on a tandem of Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason for ground duties in Sunday’s game.

Both players showcased their skills this season, and the latter might see increased action with McCaffrey out for Week 18. Meanwhile, the Rams boast a strong rushing offense but will miss their top running back, Kyren Williams, relying on Ronnie Rivers and Royce Freeman. Considering the turnover tendencies of both quarterbacks, the run game holds significant importance in determining the outcome of this game, particularly considering the robust run defenses of both teams.