49ers-Rams game props: Playing it close to the vest

The third matchup between the 49ers and Rams this season will decide who goes to a second Super Bowl in their franchise's current era. This is no rubber match, though. As discussed in our NFC Championship Game preview, the 49ers have owned the Rams with six straight wins.

They say it's hard to beat a team twice in one season. They say it's really hard to beat a team three times in one season. How hard must it be to beat a team seven times in a row?

Basically, this game should be a slugfest between two teams that know each other's playbook as well as they know their own. As such, we'll base our prop bets around the thesis that two uber-conservative head coaches won't allow this game to see the same big early leads that each team had in this season's previous meetings.

The game to be tied after 0-0: Yes (-115)

Both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan are happy to take the points. Two of the NFL's most risk-averse coaches make decisions that lend themselves to keeping a game close.

The 3.5-point line suggest a close game late, and given that we're expecting every half-point to matter around the point spread, it's highly likely this game will be tied at some point after the first score.

Either team to score three unanswered times: No (+170)

Admittedly, this is usually a sucker bet that novice bettors pile into each Super Bowl because of the juicy payout. Another admission: the "yes" has cashed in each of the first two meetings between the 49ers and Rams this season.

With two teams as evenly matched and familiar as these division rivals are, and with the stakes higher than they have been in any previous duel, a third instance of one team going on a three-score run seems unlikely.

Total sacks: Over 4.5 (play up to -150)

This has less to do with the familiarity of the teams and likelihood of a close game, and more to do with what we know about each team in the trenches.

The 49ers' defensive line is playing at the peak of their powers, and if you can find a prop offered for Arik Armstead to get a sack, feel free to try it at +200 or better. In the meantime, you should be able to find a total sacks prop closer to game time.

Both starting left tackles - Andrew Whitworth and Trent Williams - are banged up, and they get the task of two of the best pass rushing fronts in the NFL. In Week 18's overtime classic, San Francisco had Matthew Stafford running for his life.

Von Miller, Leonard Floyd, and Aaron Donald will get to Jimmy Garoppolo at least twice to contribute to the tally, though we may not need it to cash the over.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

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