49ers game today vs. Rams: Injury report, spread, over/under, schedule, live stream, TV channel

The 49ers close out the regular season with an NFC West Week 18 bout versus the Rams, and there’s plenty on the line including the playoffs.

The San Francisco 49ers have one final regular-season objective: beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 and stamp a ticket to the playoffs.

A loss to LA wouldn’t fully eliminate the Niners from the postseason. But paired with a New Orleans Saints victory over the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco would be officially out if it can’t handle its own business against head coach Sean McVay and Co.

Notably, both the 49ers-Rams and Falcons-Saints games kick off at the same time, so the final outcome likely won’t be determined until both games go to the last whistle.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan could get creative with his quarterbacks, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, the latter performing well in relief of the injured Jimmy G during the Niners’ Week 17 win over the Houston Texans. But San Francisco’s formula during its one-sided Week 10 win over Los Angeles wasn’t based on Garoppolo’s arm, rather the 44 rushing attempts and nearly 20 more minutes in the time-of-possession battle.

The 49ers might have to do the same if they want to pull off their sixth consecutive victory over their NFC West rivals this Sunday.

49ers injury report vs. Rams Week 18

The Niners had a COVID scare run through the team, particularly in the secondary, yet the good news is some players seem poised to return to action in Week 18.

San Francisco is still listing the following players on this week’s injury report:

• LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee): Questionable
• T Trent Williams (elbow): Questionable
• QB Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb): Questionable
• LB Dre Greenlaw (groin): Questionable
• LB Marcell Harris (Achilles): Questionable
• DL Maurice Hurst (calf): Questionable
• S Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder): Questionable

No players were ruled out. That’s good.

Garoppolo’s potential return has been the biggest storyline after he missed Week 17. But it’s potentially better news the 49ers are getting cornerback Emmanuel Moseley off injured reserve after he suffered an ankle injury in Week 13 versus the Seattle Seahawks.

Additionally, the hopes for defensive backs Jimmie Ward, K’Waun Williams and Ambry Thomas to emerge off the reserve/COVID list headlined the leadup to Week 18.

49ers vs. Rams odds, spread, over/under & betting pick Week 18

The oddsmakers over at WynnBET initially opened up the spread for this game with Los Angeles being a five-point favorite, but the spread has now dropped down to a four-point advantage for LA.

Still underdogs, the Niners’ moneyline is at +170, while Los Angeles’ is -210.

The over/under is 44.5.

Our initial prediction of the Rams pulling off a 27-20 win over San Francisco, thereby ending the Niners’ five-game win streak, still stands, unfortunately. But if we’re getting into the greater scheme of things, let’s also go ahead and predict the Falcons helping Shanahan and Co. out by beating the Saints, thereby pushing San Francisco into the playoffs anyway.

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What channel is the 49ers game on Week 18?

Fox will broadcast Sunday’s contest between the Niners and Rams, which kicks off on Jan. 9 at 4:25 p.m. ET from SoFI Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Joe Buck will handle play-by-play duties with Troy Aikman on the color commentary. Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be on the sidelines.

Nearly the entire country will be able to view the television broadcast, the only exceptions being Arizona, parts of the Pacific Northwest and western Montana, most of Oklahoma and other areas in the south, primarily close to New Orleans and Atlanta.

49ers vs. Rams live stream

Fans who are unable to watch the live television broadcast can stream the game through fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial for first-time users.

In-market fans can also head over to 49ers.com or download the official team app to stream the game on preferred devices.

2022 NFL playoff schedule

If San Francisco gets into the playoff dance, it’ll have to play on Wild Card weekend against an opponent yet to be determined, either the No. 2 or the No. 3 seed in the NFC, depending on where the Niners finish.

Here’s the rest of the NFL playoff schedule (hopefully with San Francisco in the mix):

• Wild Card rounds: Jan. 15-17
• Divisional rounds: Jan. 22-23
• Conference championships: Jan. 30
• Super Bowl LVI: Feb. 13