Cote: Can 49ers slow Rams’ Stafford-to-Nacua combo Thursday night? Our pick
GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 5 THURSDAY PICK
49ERS (3-1) at RAMS (3-1)
Line: LAR by 6 1/2.
Cote’s pick: LAR, 24-20.
TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.
NFL Week 5 is christened with a second straight NFC West matchup on your prime-time Thursday platter. Wouldn’t overthink this one. Rams have impressed, their only loss an unlucky one to champ Philly, while 49ers were a shaky, unconvincing 3-0 even before losing to Jacksonville last week. Special teams blunders and turnovers have plagued the Niners. Plus no team is more injury-wracked than San Fran, and now there are indications QB Brock Purdy (officially questionable as of Wedesday afternoon) might sit again on a short week after aggravating a hurt toe. So I love L.A. outright here — Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua is the deadliest combo in the NFL right now. But against a point spread that feels a bit rich, I’m leaning Frans on the cover getting a touchdown. The past four meetings in this rivalry have been decided by one score, and Niners backup arm Mac Jones in two sub appearances this season has outplayed Purdy. Defensively, injury loss of Niners’ Nick Bosa is a crater to fill, but still see Niners with enough on D to keep the final score inside the bet line.
Note: Betting line courtesy ESPNBet as of midday Wednesday.
