San Francisco at Los Angeles Spread, Pick & TV Info

By far the worst game in the Week 16 NFL schedule is an absolutely meaningless matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, with plenty of good seats likely available in L.A. as these are probably the two worst teams in the NFC. But sometimes, you can get good NFL odds value wagering on meaningless games.

San Francisco at Los Angeles Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

A Christmas Eve trip to LA is next on the schedule. #BeatLA prep is underway! pic.twitter.com/mPv9IKpSG6

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 22, 2016

When: Saturday, Dec. 24, 4:25 PM ET Where: LA Memorial Coliseum TV: Fox Radio: San Francisco / Los Angeles Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Rams -3 (40)

Why Bet on San Francisco?

The 49ers enter on a 13-game losing streak. They were no match last week for the Falcons in Atlanta, falling 41-13. Colin Kaepernick was 20 of 33 for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also was sacked three times. Falcons running back Devonta Freeman became the 11th running back to surpass 100 yards rushing in a game against the Niners this season, finishing with 139 yards and three touchdowns. Along the way, the 49ers set a franchise record for most rushing yards allowed in a season, surpassing the old mark of 2,363 with two games left to play. Carlos Hyde contributed 71 yards on 13 carries while corralling one-of- three targets for six yards Sunday in the 49ers’ loss. Hyde was limited to just five carries after halftime. It’s been a rough year for the Niners, but Hyde has been a steady presence with six touchdowns and 950 rushing yards. He’ll try to crack 1,000 yards rushing for the first time against the Rams. The 49ers lost wide receiver Quinton Patton, linebacker Nick Bellore, tight end Blake Bell and cornerback Jimmie Ward with injuries. Patton (foot) and Bellore (elbow) left in the first half. Bell and Ward were declared out with shoulder injuries in the second half. Patton has been placed on injured reserve. WR DeAndre Smelter was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster to take his place. Ward has also been placed on injured reserve. For a corresponding move, the team promoted CB Prince Charles Iworah to the active roster. The 1-13 49ers look to be a safe bet for at least the second overall pick in the draft, holding tiebreakers versus 2-12 Jacksonville and 3-11 Chicago. Both the Rams and 49ers have changed quarterbacks since the first meeting in Week 1, though the Niners haven’t changed their scheme with Kaepernick at the controls. The Rams, however, have altered things a bit since going to rookie Jared Goff. The 49ers won that game 28-0.

Why Bet on Los Angeles?

The Rams became the first NFL team to make a coaching change during the 2016 season. Jeff Fisher was relieved of his duties two weeks ago in favor of special teams coordinator John Fassel, who will finish the year as the Rams interim coach. Under his guidance, Los Angeles is 0-1, dropping a Week 15 divisional game to the Seahawks last Thursday, 24-3. It was the Rams’ fifth straight loss. Jared Goff was 13 of 25 for 135 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter to be checked for a possible concussion. The Rams finished with 183 total yards, but 90 of those came in the fourth quarter. Running back Todd Gurley was again unable to get started in the run game, continuing a frustrating second season. Gurley was held to 38 yards on 14 carries. He did have a 22-yard run late in the second quarter that set up Greg Zuerlein’s 36-yard field goal, but it was just his second run of 20 yards or more this season. Gurley had 11 runs of 20 or more yards last year. Part of why they changed quarterbacks and coaches this season, the Rams rank last in the league in points per game (14.1). Los Angeles has been held without a touchdown in four games this year, including Week 1 against the 49ers. Goff is expected to play this week. The 2016 No. 1 overall pick, absorbed a vicious hit from Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman in the fourth quarter and was taken to the locker room for evaluation. Through five games, all losses, Goff has struggled, completing 54.7 percent of his passes, averaging 5.46 yards per attempt and posting a 24.6 Total QBR. If Goff can’t go, the Rams are giving serious consideration to starting Sean Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015 who has spent almost the entire season as a third-string, inactive quarterback. Regardless, it looks like Mannion will at least be the backup for the last two games. The 49ers have won two consecutive meetings over their SoCal counterparts. Saturday’s matchup in Los Angeles will be the first 49ers-Rams game in LA since 1979.

San Francisco at Los Angeles Free Pick:

Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings. 49ers are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 vs. NFC. Can I pass? Take the home team and go under the total.