Well, we’re almost there. The San Francisco 49ers 16 week circus is just about set to come to a close. They close out the road version of this disaster as they travel to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16. The game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. PT on FOX with our old friends Chris Myers and Ronde Barber in the booth, and Jennifer Hale on the sideline. The television broadcast is an entirely regional broadcast in California, Reno, and southern Oregon. San Diego does not get the game. We broke down the broadcast maps here.
The 49ers enter the game at 1-13, and looking to get a little closer to the No. 2 draft pick next April. If the Cleveland Browns want to lose a game and give the 49ers a shot at No. 1, that’s fine, too. The 49ers have had an awful season for the most part, but the last three weeks have been particularly bad. They led 6-0 and then gave up 26 unanswered points in a Week 13 loss to the Chicago Bears. They blew a 17-3 lead en route to a 23-17 Week 14 overtime loss to the New York Jets. And finally, they were crushed 41-13 in a Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
They face a Rams team that is 4-10, and also the only team they have beaten this year. In fact, the Rams are the only team the 49ers have beaten since a Week 13 2015 overtime win in Chicago. And now, the Rams are in their own form of disarray. It took them a while, but they finally moved No. 1 pick Jared Goff into the starting lineup. They fired head coach Jeff Fisher following their own Week 14 42-14 blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and now John Fassel is guiding them as they play out the string.
And that brings us to this miserable game. The Rams are a 4.5-point favorite with a line that has climbed a point-and-a-half over the past five days. This is a tough game to wager on given how bad both teams are, but given the 49ers 2-11-1 record against the spread, maybe the decision is a little easier.
The 49ers head into this game with numerous questions on the offensive line. Left tackle Joe Staley is unlikely to play, listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury. Center Marcus Martin is questionable with an ankle injury. If he does not play, the OL shuffle will be pretty significant. And finally, the team placed Torrey Smith on injured reserve due to his concussion. With only two games remaining and a whole host of injuries gutting the roster, every available spot is needed.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Game time: Saturday, December 24, 1:25 p.m. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero/Gabriel Sotelo)
Matchup history: 67-64-3
Announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale
Enemy blog: Turf Show Times
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams - 28-0 WIN
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers - 46-27 LOSS
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks - 37-18 LOSS
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys - 24-17 LOSS
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals - 33-21 LOSS
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills - 45-16 LOSS
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 34-17 LOSS
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints - 41-23 LOSS
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals - 23-20 LOSS
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots - 30-17 LOSS
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins - 31-24 LOSS
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears - 26-6 LOSS
Week 14: vs. New York Jets - 23-17 LOSS
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons - 41-13 LOSS
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1