NFL game of the week: 49ers vs. Rams

Week 5 of the NFL season kicks off on Thursday night with a divisional matchup between two teams at the top of the NFC West, with the San Francisco 49ers traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Rams.

Both teams will enter Thursday at 3-1 on the season, in a three-way tie with the Seattle Seahawks.

This is the 49ers' third divisional game of the year, having so far beaten the Cardinals and Seahawks undefeated. This will be the Rams' first divisional matchup of the young season.

The Rams are coming off a big home win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday by a score of 27-20.

Matt Stafford was incredible, throwing for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Puka Nacua might have been more impressive, though, snagging 13 balls for 170 yards and a score. Tutu Atwell’s lone 88-yard catch and touchdown proved to be the game-winner for Los Angeles.

The Rams have been very good this season, and are a blocked kick away from beating Philadelphia and being undefeated.

San Francisco is coming off their first loss of the season at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-21.

Quarterback Brock Purdy returned after missing a couple of weeks with shoulder and toe issues, and looked alright, but had a couple of turnovers that proved large in this game.

Christian McCaffrey couldn’t get much going on the ground, only 49 yards with 2.9 yards per carry, but was very effective in the passing game. He ended the game with six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown, which led the team.

Purdy is now questionable to play this week, and did not practice on Monday after re-aggravating his toe injury that he had been nursing.

The injuries have been a storyline so far this season for the 49ers. A laundry list of long-term injuries includes stars Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Malik Mustapha and Kevin Givens.

Even with all of these injuries, the 49ers have still been winning, but it’s been ugly.

On paper, the offense has been good, fifth in total offense and second in passing, but the issue has been turnovers and running the football, where San Francisco has the third-worst turnover differential in the league at -5 and the 5th worst rushing offense.

The unfortunate part of that is the Rams are so far fourth in the NFL in takeaways, with seven, and have a top-10 run defense in the NFL.

The 49ers defense has been solid, though, too. Sixth in total defense and sixth against the pass.

Going on the road with as many injuries as San Francisco has will be tough, but even if Purdy doesn’t play, they are in good hands with Mac Jones.

In two starts, he has completed 66.3% of his passes with four touchdowns and only one interception.

If the 49ers can find some consistency on the ground and not turn the ball over, they will have a chance in this one.

However, if they can do neither, Stafford and company will pick that defense apart, along with using running back Kyren Williams to wear them down.

For the bettors out there, LA is the favorite, and the line so far is at 5.5.

Evan Pochas is a third-year student studying broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ejp5753@psu.edu.