2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

Los Angeles Rams (8-5) at San Francisco 49ers (11-3)

Saturday, December 21, 8:15PM ET

This is a huge game for both of these clubs. The Los Angeles Rams must win just to stay alive in the NFC playoff race, and the San Francisco 49ers must win to remain in play for a first-round bye. By the end of Saturday night, one team is going to be very disappointed.

Since I’m making predictions, I’m going to say the Rams will be the ones to watch their playoff dreams end in Week 16. It’s an unfortunate end for Los Angeles, a team that’s only a year removed from making to the Super Bowl. However, considering how uneven and inconsistent they’ve been this season, it’s far from surprising.

I just don’t see how the Rams can get the win against a clearly superior 49ers squad. The offense has been nothing but unreliable all year long, with Jared Goff showing up one game and disappearing the next. Todd Gurley hasn’t been himself, and there have been too many injuries. Doing enough to outscore a dangerous San Francisco offense seems farfetched.

The 49ers keep the pressure on the Seahawks with a hard-fought win, but stay in the No. 5 seed for the time being. As for the Rams, they get to go on an early vacation while they begin the process of figuring out how to get back on track in 2020.

Prediction: 49ers win 26-23