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This week 15 clash sees NFC West rivals the Los Angeles Rams travel to Levi’s Stadium to face the San Francisco 49ers. Both sides need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The 49ers won their last game 38-13 against the Chicago Bears, which ended a three-game losing streak, whereas the Rams have won their last two games, including a massive 44-42 win at home to the Buffalo Bills.

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The Rams, currently at 7-6, hold the eighth seed, just outside the playoffs. The 49er’s also have a chance of reaching the playoffs but hold the 11th seed, with a 6-7 record. The NFC West is still the tightest division this season. The Seattle Seahawks are top with 8-5, the Rams 2nd at 7-6 and the Arizona Cardinals are 3rd with 6-7, the same as the 49ers. So anyone can still win this division.

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The Rams QB, Matthew Stafford is ranked 5th in passing yards this season. He is 293-439 for 3303 yards, with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His opposite number is Brock Purdy, who is ranked 12th in passing yards. Purdy is 233-349 for 3032 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Purdy is playing through a shoulder injury after missing their game against the Green Bay Packers

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Injuries have plagued the 49ers this season and are struggling at the Running Back position. Their main star, Christian McCaffrey has been out for most of the season due to calf and knee injuries, and backup Jordan Mason is also out. Isaac Guerendo is listed as doubtful with a foot injury so the RB duties could fall on Patrick Taylor Jr and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, with Israel Abanikanda filling a roster spot. The 49ers are also missing WR Brandon Aiyuk and Rb Elijah Mitchell as well as several players on the defense.

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The Rams will be looking to their Wide Receiver pairing of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Their combined stats for this season are nine touchdowns from 117 receptions for a total of 1365 yards. The 49ers best receivers are TE George Kittle and WR Jauan Jennings. Their stats are just as impressive with 14 touchdowns from 113 receptions for 1574 yards. These pairings will keep both defenses on their toes.

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Looking at the defenses, the Rams are ranked 27th (out of 32) with an average of 366.1 yards per game, whereas the 49ers are ranked 3rd with an average of 298.5. The Rams defense are also averaging 25.5 points per game,and the 49ers only slightly better with an average of 23.7.

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Offensively, both sides are pretty equal. The 49ers average 23.7 points per game (ppg) and 378.5 yards of total offense per game (topg), with the Rams averaging 22.9 ppg and 340.7 topg.

Prediction – I think the Rams will have enough to win this game. They won their last meeting 27-24 at SoFi Stadium back in week 3, and I see the same margin of victory in this one.