49ers open up as 4.5-point underdogs against the Rams for their Week 10 matchup

The 49ers and Rams are coming off embarrassing losses in Week 9. San Francisco couldn’t slow down Colt McCoy or James Conner while Los Angeles made the Tennessee Titans look like a Super Bowl team.

Both teams face off next Monday night in Week 10 as each team looks to bounce back. Sean McVay couldn’t commit to newly-acquired edge rusher Von Miller suiting up. The Rams have Leonard Floyd, but it didn’t seem like Tennessee’s quarterback Ryan Tannehill was under pressure for most of Sunday night.

Unfortunately, the 49ers' defensive line has left a lot to be desired in the pass-rushing department. Nick Bosa has been consistent. Arik Armstead came alive in Week 9, but was flagged for a penalty that took one of his sacks off the board.

DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Niners as 4.5-point underdogs with the total on the game set at 49.5. That would suggest Vegas thinks the Rams win in the ballpark of 27-23. Vegas gives home teams three points as an advantage. The issue with that line of thinking is the lack of success at Levi’s Stadium for the 49ers.

After Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, the 49ers have lost eight in a row at home including 11 of 12 at Levi’s Stadium. Now, enter a Rams team that was throttled on national TV. To say the Rams will be mildly upset after Sunday's game is the understatement of the year.

No matter how disappointing this season has been, the 49ers have played the Sean McVay Rams tough. This is a different version with Matthew Stafford under center. But, Stafford struggled against a Titans defense that entered Week 9 22nd in DVOA.

All signed pointed to the Rams blowing out Tennessee. Stafford had a -.029 EPA, which is atrocious. The running game wasn’t much better with Darrell Henderson. The Titans didn’t make the same types of mistakes we’re used to seeing from the 49ers defense weekly, though. Will that change in a week? That’ll depend on how many backups the defense fields against the Rams.