After beginning the season with different expectations, the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams enter the final week of the 2018 NFL regular season with different intentions.
A victory over the rival 49ers is essential for the playoff-bound Rams and head coach Sean McVay, as a Week 17 win would ensure that Los Angeles receives a much-needed first-round bye in the playoffs. After peaking early in the season, the 8-0 Rams stumbled as the team faced stiffer competition in the second half of 2018, before nearly falling apart in December.
A year removed from capping off a stellar regular season with a short one-and-done playoff run, a free trip to the second round of the playoffs is exactly what the Rams need — and an extra week of rest would allow star running back Todd Gurley to return to full force.