A massive NFC West clash takes center stage on Thursday Night Football as the San Francisco 49ers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in a pivotal divisional battle. Both teams enter the contest with identical 3-1 records, making the winner the outright leader of the NFC West heading into the weekend.
This is an extremely significant early-season matchup, as the rivalry history between the two franchises adds intensity, and seizing the early advantage in this competitive division will be critical for a playoff push later in the year.
The San Francisco 49ers’ offense revolves around the singular, elite talent of running back Christian McCaffrey, who is one of the NFL’s premier dual-threat weapons, dominating both on the ground and through the air. McCaffrey’s ability to create explosive plays in space, combined with the play-action threat of the Kyle Shanahan system, are the primary drivers of the 49ers’ attack. McCaffrey is going to be that much more heavily used this week as the Niners just deal with a serious rash of injuries to their wide receiver corps.
For the Los Angeles Rams, the offense is powered by the veteran arm of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has found immediate chemistry with a pair of highly productive wide receivers. Puka Nacua has been one of the league’s most surprising and dominant pass-catchers, leading the NFL in receptions and yards. He is complemented by future Hall of Famer Davante Adams, whose route-running and red-zone prowess make him an elite threat. In the backfield, running back Kyren Williams carries the bulk of the workload, serving as a reliable workhorse who excels at controlling the clock and finding the end zone.
Fantasy Football Start/Sit Recommendations
Start ‘em with confidence
- Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
- Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)
- Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
- Davante Adams (WR – LAR)
Start ‘em with caution
- Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
Sit ‘em with confidence
- All 49ers Receivers
- All Rams Tight Ends
Sit ‘em with caution
- Jake Tonges (TE – SF)
