ST. LOUIS RAMS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 
Vegas Line: Rams + 13.5
Rob’s Line: Rams + 11.5
The 9-2 San Francisco 49ers aren’t in a position for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs as the Packers have their hands in that particular cookie jar, but they could nab the number two seed, which means they’d bypass wildcard weekend and play at home the following week. The New Orleans Saints (8-3) are hot on their tail, but the Niners reamin favourites due to them having to play St. Louis twice, Arizona and Seattle. However, wouldn’t the Rams just love to play the part of spoilers?
Apart from being brushed aside by the Seahawks two weeks ago, the Rams have kept games close in recent weeks, albeit against some dubious opposition, and that’s followed their stunning 31-21 win over the Saints in Week 8. In fact, their two recent losses to the Cardinals came courtesy of Patrick Peterson returning punts for touchdowns in both games and I think the Vegas line is a little too high here so will say right now that I’m taking the Rams with the points.
What is there to say about San Fran this season? They’ve surprised almost everybody and coach Jim Harbaugh deserves all the credit coming his way. He’s transformed the fortunes of quarterback Alex Smith and while the suspicion remains that he’ll falter in the playoffs against better defenses, Harbaugh could barely have asked more of him this season. This was somebody who’d thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns through six seasons so to see a 13-5 TD-INT ratio this season is little short of remarkable.
Smith was terrorised by the Ravens on Thanksgiving, getting sacked nine times and the Rams defense is ranked a surprising eighth against the pass so he could be in for another difficult day, especially if defensive end Chris Long and inside linebacker James Laurinaitis are both healthy.
Speaking of which, there is a doubt over Sam Bradford’s health heading into this one and it’s looking increasingly unlikely that he’ll suit up so the Rams may need to call upon A. J. Feeley at quarterback. He’s deputised for him previously this season and while it’s not ideal facing a hot 49ers team on the road, San Fran only rank 21st defending the pass.
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