Greg Cote's Thursday night NFL pick

Greg Cote, Miami Herald on Dec 11, 2024

Published in Football

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GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 15 THURSDAY PICK

RAMS (7-6) at 49ERS (6-7)

Line: SF by 3.

Cote’s pick: SF, 24-23.

TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.

This isn’t at the level of Packers-Lions last Thursday, but it’s still another big NFC matchup to uncork NFL Week 15 in prime time. Both teams coming off large wins, the Rams upsetting Buffalo in a wild shootout and 49ers in a romp over Chicago. L.A and San Fran both remain in playoff hunt out of the winnable West, but with each in must-win mode. Adding spice to the game: Niners WR Deebo Samuel complaining on social media this week about not getting the ball enough. Will we see a remedy? Will the squeaky receiver get the grease? Niners enjoyed a 9-1 series run in this rivalry before Rams won the past two including 27-24 in September. Rams should have TE Tyler Higbee playing for first time all season. Niners hope to have OT Trent Williams and sackman Nick Bosa back and this picks counts on it, but Frans have a pass rush that can bother Matthew Stafford even sans Bosa. I’ll ride the home field, SF’s defensive edge and 49ers on ground vs. Rams’ bottom-five run D — assuming Isaac Guerendo is ready to tough through his mild foot sprain. P.S., give Deebo the ball, please, and I’ll like 49ers even more. Either way, I’ll hedge on a tough-call tossup game and lean Rams with the points.

(Betting line courtesy ESPNBet as of midday Wednesday.)