The Rams and 49ers are intimately familiar with one another. Last year, they played three times, with the 49ers winning two regular season showdowns and losing when they played for all of the marbles in the NFC Championship. This will be their first meeting of the 2022 season, and it might be a defensive struggle. So, how should that impact your Rams vs. 49ers player props? Don’t worry. We’re here to break down these Monday Night Football prop bets and give you our favorite picks.
MNF Prop Bets: Rams vs. 49ers Player Props
Here’s a trio of Rams vs. 49ers player props I like for Monday’s game:
Jimmy Garoppolo Over 0.5 Interceptions (-110)
Garoppolo injected life into the offense when he relieved an injured Trey Lance in Week 2. Sadly, he fell on his face in Week 3’s Sunday Night Football Game against the Broncos. So, Jimmy G is the prototypical inconsistent starter one would expect from a non-top 15 signal-caller.
The veteran quarterback plays well when he’s protected, and the plays stay on script. However, when he faces pressure and has to create on his own, Jimmy G falls apart. Unfortunately, Garoppolo might be under duress early and often tonight.
First, Aaron Donald is a one-man game-wrecker for the Rams. Second, stud left tackle Trent Williams is out. Further, Williams’ replacement was an unmitigated disaster last week. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) player charting, second-year tackle Jaylon Moore pass blocked on four snaps in relief of Williams last week, allowing one hit, one sack, and two pressures. Yikes.
And, again, Jimmy G is lousy under pressure. According to PFF, Garoppolo has both of his turnover-worthy plays this year on 16 dropbacks under pressure. Moreover, he had 18 turnover-worthy plays on 167 dropbacks under pressure last year. So, Jimmy G has had a turnover-worthy play on 10.9% of his dropbacks under pressure since last year. Finally, Garoppolo threw at least one interception in the previous two meetings with the Rams, and Los Angeles has recorded interceptions in two of three contests this season. So, Garoppolo is likely to throw at least one interception tonight.
Where to bet: Jimmy Garoppolo Over 0.5 INT | -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook
George Kittle Under 4.5 Receptions (-146)
The veteran tight end suited up for the first time this year in Week 3. Kittle had four receptions for 28 scoreless yards on just five targets. Further, he wasn’t eased back into action. According to Pro-Football-Reference, he played 91% of San Francisco’s offensive snaps. Kittle also ran the team’s third-most routes (28) in Week 3, per PFF.
Unfortunately, I’m concerned Kittle might be used more often as a pass blocker to help offset Moore’s significant deficiencies at left tackle. Kittle pass blocked on three of 33 passing snaps last week. Yet, if Moore is getting beaten like a drum again this week, Kyle Shanahan might not have a choice but keep Kittle in for extra protection in lieu of letting Jimmy G get killed.
Finally, the matchup is challenging. According to Football Outsiders, opponents have thrown only 4.1 passes per game to tight ends against the Rams, resulting in just 28.5 receiving yards per game. So, Kittle can come up short of 4.5 receptions even if he’s deployed for his customary number of routes. Therefore, there are multiple avenues to Kittle landing under 4.5 receptions, saying nothing of aggravating the groin injury that sidelined him the first two games of the year. So, I’ll hop on his under for 4.5 receptions.
Where to bet: George Kittle Under 4.5 Receptions | -146 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Cam Akers Under 1.5 Receptions (-145)
It feels like a distant memory when Cam Akers was in Sean McVay’s doghouse in Week 1. The third-year back played only 12 offensive snaps that game, handling three rush attempts and failing to garner a target in the opener. However, Akers has since played 43% and 50% of LA’s offensive snaps, muddying the backfield’s playing time distribution. Still, the Week 1 outing should serve as a cautionary tale of the potential for Akers to get benched if he draws the ire of McVay.
Regardless, even in the current backfield committee with Darrell Henderson, Akers’ role as the ball-carrying grinder and non-factor in the passing game is clear. Akers has had zero targets in two of three games in 2022. Moreover, Akers has run only 22 routes versus 74 for Henderson in three games. Akers’ routes have also been nosediving, running 10 in Week 1, eight in Week 2, and only four in Week 3.
The matchup is challenging for Akers’ pass-catching outlook, too. San Francisco’s opponents have directed only 5.6 passes per game to running backs, resulting in an underwhelming 23.5 receiving yards per game. Finally, Akers has had more than 1.5 receptions in only seven of 23 games in his career, including the postseason. I don’t see him bucking his trend of non-involvement in the passing game tonight.
Where to bet: Cam Akers Under 1.5 Receptions | -145 at Caesars Sportsbook
More Rams vs. 49ers Props
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