The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will kick off Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season when they do battle at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.
Both teams enter the contest with 3-1 records in what is a hotly-contested division thus far. The Seattle Seahawks are also 3-1, and the Arizona Cardinals are sitting with a .500 record at 2-2.
The 49ers come into this game extremely banged-up. San Francisco has already ruled out quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. Backup signal-caller Mac Jones will take the reins in Purdy's stead.
But those players aren't the only ones injured for San Francisco, though.
The Niners will also be without tight end George Kittle for another game because he is still on injured reserve, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has yet to play in 2025 because of the knee injury he suffered in 2024.
The 49ers' injury woes obviously put them at a huge disadvantage, but are there any experts who think they can pull out the win over their division rival?
Let's find out.
49ers vs. Rams picks, predictions
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Rams 27, 49ers 24
Iyer: "The 49ers used to dominate Sean McVay's Rams with Kyle Shanahan, but that record is down to 10-7, including playoffs. The Rams are the healthier and better all-around team to trust, the second-best in the NFC. But San Francisco will be game for its rivals on a short week with Brock Purdy and the offense playing better. It just won't be enough vs. red-hot Matthew Stafford and his elite veteran wide receivers."
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Rams 24, 49ers 22
Bender: "This line bumped up half a point, which is fitting knowing the last four meetings in this series have been decided by four points or less. The 49ers have a -5 turnover ratio, which showed up in the loss to Jacksonville, and they have yet to score a rushing TD this season. This will be close – but the home team gets the win in the NFC West matchup."
- Matt Bowen: Rams
- Mike Clay: Rams
- Jeremy Fowler: Rams
- Dan Graziano: Rams
- Kalyn Kahler: Rams
- Pamela Maldonado: Rams
- Eric Moody: Rams
- Jason Reid: Rams
- Lindsey Thiry: Rams
- Seth Wickersham: Rams
- Pete Prisco: Rams
- Cody Benjamin: Rams
- Jared Dubin: Rams
- Ryan Wilson: Rams
- John Breech: Rams
- Tyler Sullivan: Rams
- Dave Richard: Rams
- Jamey Eisenberg: Rams
- Albert Breer: Rams
- Clare Brennan: Rams
- Mitch Goldich: Rams
- Gilberto Manzano: Rams
- Conor Orr: Rams
- John Pluym: Rams
- Matt Verderame: Rams
Number of experts picking Rams: 27
Number of experts picking 49ers: 0
MORE NFL NEWS
How long is George Kittle out? Latest injury update on 49ers TE
Are Purdy, Pearsall, Jennings playing in Week 5 vs. Rams?
Xavien Howard explains abrupt retirement from the NFL
Ravens, 49ers dubbed possible trade suitors for Giants EDGE