Rams vs. 49ers prediction, odds, spread, injuries, trends for NFL Week 18

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are playing in a battle of backups as both squads have locked up their spot in the playoffs and have little to play for in Week 18.

Along with plenty of other players, the two starting quarterbacks will be resting on Sunday. So, instead of Matthew Stafford vs. Brock Purdy, we're going to see Carson Wentz vs. Sam Darnold.

So, with so many players sitting this game, how do we handle betting on it? That's exactly what I'm going to try to answer in this article.

If you want to get my best bet for all 16 NFL Week 18 games, check out this week's edition of the "Road to 272 Bets".

If you're going to bet on this game, as well as the playoffs, then it's time to sign up for a sportsbook. For a limited time, new users who click the link below to sign up for an account will receive $150 in bonus bets when they place their first $5 wager.

Bet on the Rams at FanDuel now!

Rams vs. 49ers odds, spread, and total

Rams vs. 49ers betting trends

Los Angeles Rams injury report

• Joe Noteboom - OT - Out
• Jordan Fuller - S - Questionable
• Desjuan Johnson - DE - Questionable
• Brian Allen - C - Questionable
• Tyler Higbee - TE - Out

San Francisco 49ers injury report

• Ji'Ayir Brown - S - Questionable
• Tashaun Gipson Sr. - S - Questionable
• Danny Gray - WR - IR-R
• Ray-Ray McCloud III - WR - IR-IR
• Elijah Mitchell - RB - Questionable
• Christian McCaffrey - RB - OUT

Rams vs. 49ers how to watch

• Date: Sunday, January 7
• Game Time: 4:25 pm et
• Venue: Levi's Stadium
• How to Watch (TV): FOX
• Los Angeles Rams Record: 9-7
• San Francisco 49ers Record: 12-4

Rams vs. 49ers key players to watch

Los Angeles Rams

Carson Wentz: The veteran quarterback didn't have a team early in the season but the Rams signed him at the midway point and now he has a chance to show people that he still has some of the magic left.

San Francisco 49ers

Sam Darnold: Much like Wentz, Darnold also has a chance to show people he still has some juice left in his arm. He looked solid in relief for the Ravens on Christmas and now we'll see how he does in a full game vs. the Rams.

Rams vs. 49ers prediction and pick

The 49ers have locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the Rams have clinched a wild-card berth, so this game means little for either team this week. The Rams may want to try to make sure they get the No. 6 seed, so if there's one side that has more to play for it's Los Angeles.

At this point, we don't know who will and won't be playing for either team but even if all starts were in, I'd be tempted to take the points with Los Angeles.

This latest run has been for real and they've truly turned into a dark horse Super Bowl contender. They're fifth in the NFL in Net Yards per Play over their last three games at +0.8.

The Rams have also been a great running team, coming in at fourth in EPA per rush, which could be huge against a 49ers team that's in the bottom half of the NFL in most run defense metrics.

I'll back the Rams in San Francisco.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

You can check out all of Iain's bets here!