Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Vegas Play of the Day: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

Rams Donald

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.

The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now under way, effective July 1.

Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.

Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.

Los Angeles Rams minus-10 vs. San Francisco 49ers: $990 to win $900

It’s totally understandable when a week 17 line is thrown out of whack because a team is playing for nothing or sitting out starters. Neither of those scenarios fit with the Rams.

There’s no reason they aren’t a bigger favorite. The Rams gave almost this same number — minus-9.5, to be exact — when they went to San Francisco earlier in the year, a game they won 39-10.

The stakes are higher now. Los Angeles must win to lock up a first-round bye, so there’s little doubt it will be put forth its best effort.

Todd Gurley is sitting out, but newly-signed C.J. Anderson was electric last week and John Kelly is arguably even better. Gurley is the best running back in the NFL, but there’s simply not a lot of drop-off between the greats and the replacements at the position.

Elsewhere on the roster, mainly on the defensive side, the Rams have gotten healthier. They’re going to be a load to handle for the 49ers, a team it’s time to sell high on anyway.

San Francisco has won two of its last three and played tough in all of those contests, but before that, it had been blown out in two straight to much lesser teams than Los Angeles. If there’s a team that fits the week 17 cliché of having, “nothing to play for,” it’s on the visiting sideline.  

Current Standings: Brewer (14-12-1, $10,260), Keefer (20-19-2, $9,196), Emerson (1-3, $7,062), Grimala (12-12-1, $4,845)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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