Kyle Shanahan finally breaks through as a big underdog, guiding the 49ers to a 26-23 upset of the Rams as injuries thinned San Francisco’s depth. The spread swung from SF as +3 to Rams favored by 8.5 late in the week, and Shanahan treated the line movement as fuel. Mac Jones revealed Shanahan was visibly frustrated by the ever-growing underdog tag. San Francisco snapped a long drought in 7+ point underdog wins, a run that stretched back to 2011 and a Harbaugh-era victory over Philadelphia.

The win came with Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall sidelined, yet Jones threw for 342 yards and two TDs, turning the upset into a statement. The 49ers had been 0-11 in such games since 2017—and 22 straight as 7+ point underdogs before this triumph—making this upset their biggest as a betting underdog since Harbaugh’s 2011 finish against the Eagles.

In a season that often tests depth, SF’s resilience and Shanahan’s psychology-sharp approach to spreads provided a blueprint: leverage doubt, lean on a flexible game plan, and seize the opportunity when the odds swing against you.

Alfred Collins’ goal-line strip and a sturdy late stand by the 49ers’ defense propelled San Francisco to a 26-23 win at Los Angeles, validating a defense-first blueprint even with a dented offense. The play preserved a potential turn-point moment after a shaky red-zone sequence and three straight runs to bleed clock kept the Rams out of reach in regulation.

SF moved to 4-1 atop the NFC West, buoyed by rookie contributors on defense and the prospect of healthier weapons returning—Jennings, Pearsall, and Kittle—while injuries continue to test the depth. The win could quiet the draft-grading chatter and hint that the Niners’ playmakers, not the picks, will carry them forward for fantasy rosters in the coming weeks.

Rams at 49ers kicks off Week 5 with NFC West bragging rights on the line and fantasy depth on the line as Purdy is sidelined and Mac Jones starts for LA. A fresh look at SF’s depleted receiver corps and tight end room heightens Rams upside on defense and in DFS scrimmage, while bet365’s CBSBET365 offer gives new players a $200 bonus after a $5 wager, usable across the slate with strict usage windows. Injuries tilt the balance toward the Rams’ edge rush and opportunistic playmaking.

Week 5 kicks off with Rams at 49ers in a pivotal NFC West showdown on Thursday Night Football. Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua have fueled the Rams, with Nacua leading the league in receptions and receiving yards. San Francisco heads in shorthanded at quarterback and receiver after a loss, but owns a top-tier pass defense. Rams are 8-point favorites with a 45.5 over/under; Stafford’s prop sits around 240.5 passing yards. Fanatics promo adds gameday FanCash.