49ers vs. Rams NFL Week 3 Picks: Both Offenses Could Struggle

San Francisco Struggled in Minnesota

The 49ers’ uninspired effort on Sunday led to a 23-17 loss to the Vikings, marking the second straight year they were held to just 17 points against Minnesota. Sam Darnold, who served as San Francisco’s backup last season, outshone Brock Purdy in the Vikings’ eighth consecutive home victory over the 49ers.

San Francisco turned the ball over twice, including one giveaway that resulted in a Vikings touchdown. They also allowed a 97-yard touchdown pass and had a punt blocked, which led to a field goal.

Despite these setbacks, Purdy threw for 319 yards, completing 26 of 38 passes with one touchdown and one interception. Darnold, now with the Vikings, completed 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception.

Jordan Mason carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Deebo Samuel hauled in eight catches for 110 yards. With Christian McCaffrey still sidelined due to lingering calf and Achilles issues, and Samuel out for two weeks with a calf strain, the 49ers will rely heavily on Brandon Aiyuk to step up.

The 49ers found themselves in a 10-point hole by halftime, and a series of costly mistakes made it tough to recover.

The Rams Are a Mess

Meanwhile, the Rams were handed a crushing 41-10 loss by the Cardinals in Week 2. Kyler Murray put on a show, including an impressive touchdown pass while evading multiple defenders.

This marked the Rams’ second straight defeat and raised concerns over their defense, especially as injuries continue to pile up, with Cooper Kupp possibly heading to injured reserve because of an ankle injury. Head coach Sean McVay voiced his frustrations, noting there were no positives to take from the game and stressing the urgent need for improvement.

The Rams gave up 231 rushing yards, with James Conner contributing 122 yards on 21 carries. Despite the heavy defeat, rookie Jared Verse stood out with seven tackles and a forced fumble, showing potential for development.

However, the Rams’ defense struggled to contain the Cardinals, particularly rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. They’ll need to re-evaluate their defensive strategies ahead of a crucial matchup against the 49ers, as continued struggles could further derail their season.

The Pick

Both teams are a hospital. As mentioned before, the 49ers will be without McCaffrey and Samuel, while Puka Nacua (knee) could miss more than four games for the Rams. To make matters worse, according to McVay, Kupp (ankle), guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder), and safety John Johnson III (shoulder) are all expected to miss extended time.

Injuries are piling up for both teams and all the key offensive players who are out significantly limit their scoring potential.

The 49ers have shown inconsistency with turnovers, leading to missed scoring opportunities and stalled drives, and despite issues, both teams’ defenses can capitalize on offensive mistakes, which should keep the score low.

NFL Pick: Under 44 (-110) at BetOnline

Under 44 (-110)

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