49ers vs. Rams: The best rushing prop bets for the NFC Conference Championship
Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire)
January 30th, 2022
Bitter NFC West rivals will fight for a Super Bowl berth at SoFi Stadium on Sunday night as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams.
Both teams will be looking for big games on the ground from Elijah Mitchell and Cam Akers, respectively. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel taking the occasional handoff for the 49ers only adds to the intrigue.
Let’s discuss our three favorite rushing props for the NFC Championship Game.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams, 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Elijah Mitchell longest rush Over/Under 15.5 yards
If San Francisco wants to pick up “chunk” plays on offense, they’ll likely either have to formulate a great gadget give to Samuel, or stick with the passing game.
Mitchell carried the rock 48 times over two meetings with L.A. this season, and only once did he exceed 15.5 rushing yards one play – a 17-yarder in Week 10. All told, Mitchell has averaged a modest 3.67 yards per carry against this Rams run defense.
49ers take the lead as Elijah Mitchell makes it look easy 💨💨
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 16, 2022
pic.twitter.com/cn6toqFMlG
L.A.’s run stoppers were sixth in the NFL during the regular season by rushing yards allowed per game, and have surrendered a mere 112 yards on the ground over their first two playoff games. Furthermore, the Rams have allowed just four rushes of 20 yards or more all year – only the Titans had fewer.
NFL pick: Under (-107)
Cam Akers Over/Under 60.5 rushing yards
Cam Akers’ comeback from a torn Achilles is incredible, but he hurt his team more than he helped it in the Divisional Round, as he fumbled the ball twice to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The patience by @thereal_cam3 here 💯
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
📺: #LARvsTB on NBC
📱: https://t.co/6Hz1DjFj3t pic.twitter.com/78SvZNtcUX
Akers recorded 24 rushes for just 48 yards against the Bucs last Sunday, and with ball security issues rearing their ugly head, expect head coach Sean McVay to potentially dial up some more Sony Michel runs, or some additional passing plays for Matt Stafford. Fewer carries for Akers likely means he won’t get to 60 yards in this one.
NFL pick: Under (-115)
Matt Stafford Over/Under 2.5 rushing yards
Stafford rushed for more than three yards in a game just four times in the regular season, but he suddenly seems much more comfortable calling his own number in the playoffs.
The Rams quarterback has 28 yards and two rushing touchdowns over his last two outings. This is obviously a very low bar to clear, and momentum suggests that Stafford will clear it.
NFL pick: Over (-124)
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