Niner Noise
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SF 49ers: 5 bold predictions in Week 12 vs. LA Rams

By Peter Panacy

San Francisco 49ers tight end Levine Toilolo (83) against Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Samson Ebukam (50) Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers tight end Levine Toilolo (83) against Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Samson Ebukam (50) Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jared Goff, LA Rams, SF 49ers
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) against the San Francisco 49ers Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The SF 49ers desperately need a win over the LA Rams in Week 12 to keep their playoff hopes alive, and here are five bold predictions.

The margin for error is awfully narrow for the SF 49ers, who at least have the benefit of coming off their bye week after three consecutive losses ahead of a crucial Week 12 road bout against their NFC West division rivals, the 7-3 LA Rams, who now sit atop the division following their nail-biting Monday Night Football win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

At worst, the 4-6 Niners can play the role of spoiler, although they’re technically not eliminated from the playoffs yet.

But with The Action Network pegging Los Angeles as seven-point favorites, it might be tough for head coach Kyle Shanahan to improve to 2-0 in the season series over his counterpart, Rams head coach Sean McVay.

San Francisco does have some elements going in its favor, though, and those could result in the upset

And those lead us to Niner Noise’s five bold predictions for this critical divisional bout between these two longtime foes.

No. 5: SF 49ers will force Jared Goff to throw multiple interceptions

The SF 49ers aren’t particularly a ballhawking team, although it’s important to note their defense still ranks No. 4 overall against the pass this season.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff is coming off a two-interception game in Week 11, and there are reasons to believe the negative trend will continue against the Niners this week. While Goff’s eight interceptions thrown and 2.2 interception percentage both rank towards the middle of the pack of qualifiers at this point in the season, seven of those picks have come when he hasn’t used play action.

Los Angeles wasn’t particularly effective running the ball against the Buccaneers in Week 11, picking up only 37 yards on 20 attempts.

If San Francisco is able to limit the Rams ground game — not out of the question, given it’s giving up just 3.9 yards per carry — Goff’s tendency to throw picks on non-play-action throws could mean a multi-interception game from the SF 49ers defense.