The schedule tells us there are only two NFL playoff games to wager on this week. But we know there are more than two betting opportunities — way more!
Odds boards from coast to coast are overflowing with NFL conference championship game props. We already gave you several of our favorite player prop bets for the AFC Championship Game and NFC Championship Game. Now we reveal our top five game-specific prop bets for the 49ers vs. Rams showdown for the NFC crown in Los Angeles.
Odds via BetMGM and The SuperBook, and updated as of 10:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 28.
San Francisco 49ers Vs Los Angeles Rams
The prop: Highest scoring half
The odds: First half -115/Second half +110
The first meeting between these NFL rivals in the Bay Area featured 28 first-half points, all scored in about a 16-minute span (with the 49ers delivering three of the four touchdowns). Defenses took control from there, however, as San Francisco outscored the Rams 10-7 after halftime.
The Week 18 rematch down south was a reversal: 20 first-half points and 28 second-half points (plus a field goal in overtime that gave the 49ers an improbable come-from-behind 27-24 victory).
Looking back at the recent history of this rivalry, it’s clear the season finale was the aberration. Because the teams have combined for more first-half points than second-half points in seven of their last nine head-to-head battles.
In the teams’ four combined games in these playoffs, though, the second half has been higher scoring. The lone exception: In the wild-card round, the 49ers and Cowboys put up 23 points in the first two quarters and 17 in the latter two.
Throughout the season, the Rams’ offense has been remarkably consistent from one half to the next, averaging 13.6 points per game in the first and 13.9 ppg in the second. At home, however, Los Angeles is scoring more after halftime (14.4 ppg) than before (13.0).
San Francisco has averaged slightly more points in the second half overall (12.1 vs. 11.8). But as a visitor, it’s a different story: 12.4 ppg first half; 10.5 ppg second half.
So what’s the tiebreaker for this option among NFC Championship prop bets? We’ll go with recent form: Over their last five games, the Rams and 49ers have combined to average 22.0 first-half points and 25.6 second-half points.
San Francisco 49ers Vs Los Angeles Rams
The prop: Will either team make a first-quarter field goal?
The odds: Yes +100/No -120
There has been a successful first-quarter field goal in 10 of the Rams’ 19 games this season and nine of San Francisco’s 19 contests. Doesn’t exactly solidify a firm lean on this prop, does it?
This might, though: A kicker split the uprights in the opening quarter in seven of eight regular-season games at climate-controlled SoFi Stadium. That includes an early 43-yard make by Rams kicker Matt Gay against the 49ers in Week 18.
Speaking of kickers: This game features two of the best right feet in the business. Gay has made 37 of 40 field-goal attempts this year, while 49ers veteran Robbie Gould is 25-for-28.
In the playoffs, Gay and Gould have combined to go 10-for-11, the only hiccup being Gay’s 47-yarder last week at Tampa Bay that was right on target but somehow fell short.
So really, this prop ultimately comes down to opportunity — that is, will either team get into field-goal range on an early possession, then stall out? If so, it’s extremely likely Gay or Gould (or both) will deliver. We’ll roll the dice with Yes on this option in the NFC Championship prop bets market.
San Francisco 49ers Vs Los Angeles Rams: Longest Touchdown
The prop: 39.5 yards
The odds: Over -110/Under -110
These teams have combined to score 11 touchdowns against one another this season. The longest of the bunch? A 40-yard strike from Jimmy Garoppolo to Deebo Samuel in the fourth quarter of the first meeting in San Francisco.
The second longest? A 27-yard interception return by 49ers DB Jimmie Ward in that same game.
The third longest? A 24-yard completion from Samuel (yes, Samuel) to fellow wideout Jauan Jennings in Week 18.
Sure, the Rams (70 yards) and Buccaneers (55 yards) each connected for long TD passes last week. However, L.A.’s other six touchdowns scored in the playoffs were from inside 10 yards. Same goes for the other three TDs the Rams have allowed.
Meanwhile, the 49ers and their opponents have found the end zone a total of six times in the playoffs. The length of those TDs: 4, 26, 20, 5, 6 and 6 yards.
Throw in Garoppolo’s inaccurate arm and the 49ers’ stout pass defense, and the Under is the only way to play this one.
San Francisco 49ers Vs Los Angeles Rams: Largest Lead (Either Team)
The prop: 14.5 points
The odds: Over +105/Under -125
Los Angeles has had massive leads in each of its playoff games, racing out to a 28-0 advantage over the Cardinals in a wild-card matchup and a 27-3 head start over the Bucs last week.
The 49ers’ first lead in their divisional-round upset of the Packers didn’t come until the final play of the game, when Gould drilled a field goal for a 13-10 victory. But the week prior in Dallas, San Francisco was 16 points clear of the Cowboys midway through the third quarter.
As noted earlier, the 49ers scored early and often against the Rams in Week 10, eventually leading 31-7 before settling for a 31-10 victory. Los Angeles returned the favor in the season finale, scoring the game’s first 17 points before falling apart in the second half.
You’re probably thinking: “But isn’t the point spread in this game just 3.5 points?” It is. Just as it was the first two times the Rams and 49ers met this season.
You’re also probably thinking: “But isn’t the NFC Championship Game usually competitive?” Not recently. Four of the last six meetings were decided by 34, 23, 31 and 17 points. The two exceptions? Last year, Tampa Bay beat Green Bay 31-26 … but led 28-10 in second half. And in 2019, the Rams beat the Saints 26-23 in overtime … but New Orleans had a 13-0 first-quarter lead.
San Francisco 49ers Vs Los Angeles Rams
The prop: Will both teams score 20 or more points?
The odds: Yes +115/No -150
Last week at frigid Lambeau Field — where the mercury was barely above zero — San Francisco’s offense never once crossed the goal line; the team’s only touchdown came on a blocked punt. In their eight previous games, however, the 49ers scored 23-plus points seven times.
Going back to a season-opening 41-33 victory at Detroit, San Francisco has eclipsed 20 points in 13 of 19 games overall, including seven of 11 on the road and both contests against the Rams. Even on the six occasions when the Niners fell short of the 20-point threshold, they got close three times (17 points each against the Titans, Cardinals, and Eagles).
Los Angeles, of course, has gone bonkers in the playoffs, putting up 34 and 30 points against Arizona and Tampa Bay, respectively. And since back-to-back offensive clunkers against the Titans at home (16 points) and 49ers on the road (10), the Rams have tallied at least 20 points in nine consecutive games. That includes landing right on 20 twice.
Also, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and crew have been particularly prolific at home, tallying at least 20 points in eight of nine games.
With this point spread holding firm at Rams -3.5 and the total sitting at 45.5 (after opening at 46), oddsmakers are basically predicting a final score of Rams 23.5-49ers 20.
Add it all up, and the Over is worth the gamble — especially catching plus-money in this market on the NFC Championship prop bets board.