The Los Angeles Rams, looking to make the 2019 NFL playoffs, have their backs against the wall. They’re about to face just about the last team you want to see if you’re feeling the heat: The San Francisco 49ers.
There is still a way for the Rams to keep their postseason hopes alive, but it requires the Rams to win out and the Minnesota Vikings to lose out.
This season has been underwhelming for the Rams, who made it all the way to the Super Bowl last year. The Jared Goff-led offense just wasn’t up to last year’s standards despite the team’s strong defense and LA lost a few close games that all but dashed their playoff hopes.
All is not exactly rosy in San Francisco at the moment, as a surprising loss to the Falcons knocked the Niners out of the top seed in the NFC West. Credit to Atlanta: The Falcons have pulled off a few surprising wins this year. But the Niners couldn’t have picked a worse time to lay an egg. Now they will have to win out if they want to earn back their bye from the Seattle Seahawks.
Both of these teams are coming off of tough losses, but, as the meme says, “they are not the same.” While the 49ers lost narrowly to a Falcons team that has pulled off an impressive upset over the Saints this season, the Rams got obliterated by an underachieving Cowboys squad.
The crushing loss to the Cowboys was indicative of the Rams’ entire season. This team that is supposed to be an offensive juggernaut just couldn’t outscore their opponents. Look for that trend to continue this week and expect the 49ers to put the final nail of the coffin of LA’s season. Here’s everything you need to know to live stream 49ers vs. Rams, including what to watch for on the field.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
- When: 8:15pm ET, Saturday, Dec. 21
- Where: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
- Streaming: NFL Network (free trials with various streaming services)
How to watch 49ers vs. Rams online
While most Thursday night games are simulcast on Fox, Amazon and NFL Network, these special Saturday games are only available on the NFL Network—though you’re able to catch that on Fubo as well as on the NFL app. If you want to take the plunge, here’s how to spend your Saturday vegging out on your couch watching football in a glassy-eyed state of reverie.
What is NFL Network?
NFL Network is where you go if you want to be immersed in pro football. There’s plenty to love about NFL Network, including the ability to watch exclusive shows like Good Morning Football, NFL Total Access, A Football Life, Inside the NFL, and most importantly, Sunday’s NFL GameDay once the regular season begins. There’s also daily programming devoted to fantasy football and power rankings—the kind of stuff football lovers need in their lives. NFL Network shows most Thursday night games during the regular season, and it’ll exclusively show some of the international games in 2019. Take note, though: NFL Network can no longer be seen via DirecTV Now.
The bottom line: If you want to get closer to the action and catch (almost) every Thursday Night Football game, NFL Network is a worthy investment.
The NFL app
Cost: Depends on provider
Devices: Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, Android RV, iOS and Android devices
If you subscribe to NFL Network through your cable provider—or you know someone who does and they owe you a sizable favor—you can also watch via the official NFL app. All you have to do is download it from your streaming device of choice—Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, PS4, Roku, or Android TV—and then enter in your cable credentials when prompted. You can also stream on any iOS or Android device, or on your desktop. Just visit nfl.com/watch.
FuboTV
- Cost: $54.99 per month
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
If you’re a big-time sports fan, FuboTV is probably your best streaming service option. If you love international soccer and you’re a Spanish speaker, FuboTV also offers various add-on packages, including Fubo Latino and Fubo Português. FuboTV’s basic plan boasts nearly 100 channels and includes NFL Network. At $54.99 per month, you’ll also get FS1, FS2, NBCSN, NBA TV, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, BeIn Sports, and CBS Sports Network, along with premium channels like FX/FXX/FXM. The only notable omission for sports fans is ESPN. You can add Fubo’s Sports Plus package for an additional $8.99 per month, which will allow you to stream NFL RedZone, (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
49ers vs. Rams stream: What to watch for
If the Rams were in any other division in the league, they would still be competing for a playoff spot. But, in an NFC West dominated by the 49ers and the Seahawks, the story of the Rams’ season has been too little, too late.
Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, in particular, did not play up to their past standards this year. A devastating injury to Brandin Cooks further amplified the offense’s problems.
By contrast, things have just seemed to go right for the 49ers. Where most teams suffer attrition throughout the year, San Francisco may actually end the season better on offense than they started. The addition of Emmanuel Sanders at receiver and the discovery of Raheem Mostert at running back has helped make a fine offense into an elite unit.
Even in a subpar game last week, Mostert gained 54 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Gurley only managed 1.9 yards per carry, for a total of 20 yards on the ground, in his matchup.
Defensively, the Niners played pretty well in their loss last week. Defensive end Arik Armstead and safety Marcell Harris had nice games despite losing. Even in an off game, superstar Nick Bosa still notched three tackles and a sack.
By contrast, the Rams D, which has been ranked in the top five for most of the season, allowed 44 points and slipped to eighth in Defensive DVOA.
The 49ers’ Week 15 loss felt like a blip. The Rams’ Week 15 loss felt like an overdue unraveling. Expect the Rams’ pain to continue this week as their playoff hopes slip away for good. Expect the Rams to take a long hard look at themselves in the offseason as the Niners look to make a Super Bowl run.
READ MORE:
- How to watch NFL RedZone without cable
- How to watch NFL Sunday Ticket without a DirecTV satellite
- How to watch NFL Network online (without cable)
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