Admin December 12, 2024
NFL Overreactions Week 14
Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the biggest NFL storylines from Week 14.
Sports Seriously
The “Thursday Night Football” schedule has delivered top-notch divisional matchups all season, and Week 15 brings another with a massive NFC West showdown.
The San Francisco 49ers (6-7) will battle the Los Angeles Rams (7-6 in Week 15 at Levi’s Stadium. This will be the second meeting of the season between the divisional foes.
The defending NFC champs are clearly losing the battle of attrition in 2024, but the 49ers remain in the hunt in the NFC playoff picture. The Seahawks (8-5) are perched at the top of the NFC West standings, but the Rams are right on their heels as they enter Week 15.
Los Angeles is riding high after taking down the Buffalo Bills 44-42 on Sunday in the highest-scoring game in the NFL this season. The 49ers have had a disappointing year but look to build on their momentum after beating down the Bears 38-13. San Francisco has an opportunity on “Thursday Night Football” to show the world that their Super Bowl window is still open.
Here’s everything to know about the “Thursday Night Football” matchup for Week 15.
Who plays on Thursday Night Football tonight?
The Rams travel to the Bay Area on Thursday night to take on the 49ers. This is the second matchup between these division rivals in the 2024 season.
How to watch Thursday Night Football
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
“Thursday Night Football” will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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Thursday Night Football preview
With four weeks left to play in the regular season, the NFC West is the most tightly packed division in the league. All four teams are alive and within two games of each other. The Rams are surging: Winners of three of their last four, including an eye-opening upset of the Bills, Los Angeles holds the current tiebreaker over the Seahawks and controls their own destiny.
The winner on “Thursday Night Football” will stake their claim as Seattle’s top challengers. The NFC West crown is still wide open, with Seattle’s upcoming matchups with the Packers (9-4) and Vikings (11-2) on deck.
It’s no secret San Francisco has struggled in 2024, but the 49ers known they must win every week if they want a chance at a playoff birth. The 49ers dominated the Bears on Sunday, and quarterback Brock Purdy was terrific in the victory. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Despite their struggles this season, the betting line favors the 49ers (as of Wednesday).
Los Angeles walked away with a 27-24 win at home in their first meeting; the Rams rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half to take down the Niners, which was a sign of things to come for San Francisco.
The Niners have dealt with significant injuries all season but are getting healthy at the right time, particularly on defense. Nick Bosa could return after missing the last three games. Talanoa Hufanga returned in Week 14 and provided a huge boost to the secondary. Kyle Shanahan hinted that linebacker Dre Greenlaw could make his 2024 debut on Thursday night.
However, the offense will continue to play without Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, but their recent success with George Kittle and Jauan Jennings allows hope for the unit.
Rams coach Sean McVay is 6-10 in 16 regular season meetings against 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
McVay will need to keep Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp playing at an extremely high level if the Rams are to sweep the season series with the Niners. Matthew Stafford is in a groove right now after leading the Rams to a win despite allowing Josh Allen to post a historic six-touchdown performance. Nacua will look to carry the momentum from his 12 catch, 162 yards showing in Week 14.
The Rams have struggled to convert on third down all season (ranked 22nd entering Week 15), and that could come to the surface against Fred Warner and this hungry San Francisco defense.
The Rams defense struggled to slow down the Bills and the Niners finished 5 for 6 in the red zone and ranked No. 3 in EPA per play among all teams in Week 14. According to FTN, the Rams rank 22nd in defensive DVOA entering this matchup.
Some are writing off the 49ers but they may show they are still worthy on the big stage tonight.
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