Rams vs. 49ers odds, spread, line: 2022 NFC Championship Game picks, predictions by model on 137-97 run

The Los Angeles Rams have not hosted the NFC Championship Game since 1978, when their offense was stymied in a 28-0 loss to Dallas. NFC North champion Los Angeles (14-5) will hope for a better result when it takes on the visiting San Francisco 49ers (12-7) on Sunday in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. The Rams, who hosted the game twice when the franchise was located in St. Louis from 1995 to 2015, averaged 27.1 points during the regular season and scored 30 or more in wins over Arizona and Tampa Bay in the 2022 NFL playoffs. San Francisco did not post a shutout in 2021 and held just one opponent under 10 points.

Kickoff from SoFi Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite in the latest Rams vs. 49ers odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 46.5. Before locking in any 49ers vs. Rams picks, make sure you see the latest NFL predictions from SportsLine’s proven projection model.

The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up over $7,500 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters championship weekend in the 2021 NFL playoffs on an incredible 137-97 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. Amazingly, it hasn’t missed a top-rated pick since Week 14 of the regular season.

The model also ranked in the Top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past five years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.

Now, the model has set its sights on Rams vs. 49ers on Sunday. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the NFL odds and trends for 49ers vs. Rams:

• Rams vs. 49ers spread: Los Angeles -3.5
• Rams vs. 49ers over-under: 46.5 points
• Rams vs. 49ers money line: Los Angeles -175, San Francisco +150
• LA: Rams are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games
• SF: 49ers are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as road underdogs

Why the Rams can cover

Since returning from its bye week, Los Angeles has put up at least 20 points in nine straight games, producing 30 or more in five of those contests. The team amassed 428 yards of total offense in its 30-27 victory at Tampa Bay in the divisional round, with Matthew Stafford throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score. After the Rams squandered a 27-3 lead, the 33-year-old connected with wide receiver Cooper Kupp on a pair of passes that accounted for 64 yards and set up Matt Gay’s winning field goal as time expired.

It was the 43rd career game-winning drive led by Stafford, tying with Matt Ryan for eighth-most in NFL history. The veteran quarterback has recorded four TD passes without an interception in two games this postseason after registering four scoring tosses and three picks in three playoff outings while with Detroit. Stafford has thrown a touchdown pass in 19 contests this campaign, giving him a share of the NFL record for most games with a TD toss in a season, including the playoffs.

Why the 49ers can cover

San Francisco struggled offensively at Green Bay in last Saturday’s 13-10 win but was strong on defense and special teams. After allowing the Packers to drive 69 yards for a touchdown on the opening possession of the game, the 49ers clamped down, forcing a fumble on Green Bay’s next series and giving up just one field goal while blocking another attempt. They forced the Packers to punt six times and blocked one of the kicks before returning it for the game-tying touchdown with less than five minutes remaining.

Deebo Samuel was held under 100 scrimmage yards after eclipsing the mark in three of his previous four contests, but made key plays, including a 45-yard return on the opening kickoff of the second half to set up San Francisco’s first field goal. The versatile 26-year-old wideout posted his first career 1,000-yard season and was second on the 49ers with 365 yards on the ground. Samuel was a force against the Rams during the regular season, running for a pair of scores, hauling in a touchdown pass and throwing one while racking up 297 yards of total offense.

How to make Rams vs. 49ers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total. In fact, it says neither starting quarterback throws two touchdown passes. It also says one side of the spread cashes in more than 50 percent of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins 49ers vs. Rams in the NFL playoffs 2022? And which side of the spread hits more than 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Rams vs. 49ers spread to be all over on Sunday, all from the advanced model that is up more than $7,500 on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.