[How to watch 49ers-Rams | Inactives | Live blog]
Thursday Night Football for Week 5 renews an NFC West rivalry when the San Francisco 49ers head south to take on the Los Angeles Rams. These teams have dominated the division since 2017, winning seven of the last eight division titles combined. The 2017 season was also the first of Kyle Shanahan’s and Sean McVay’s tenures.
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The Niners and Rams have split the last six matchups, but LA currently has a three-game winning streak going against its Northern California rival. Both teams enter this game at 3-1, looking for sole possession of first place in the division.
San Francisco is coming off its first loss of the 2025 season after falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars at home, 26-21. The Jaguars were able to bottle up 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, holding him to just 49 yards rushing, his lowest total of the season.
But the heat will be back on him again in this contest with several starters out in Week 5, including quarterback Brock Purdy, who suffered a setback with a nagging toe injury in Week 4, wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (dealing with what Shanahan called a “minor” PCL injury) and Jauan Jennings (ankle and rib injuries), as well as All-Pro tight end George Kittle (hamstring injury).
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Mac Jones will get his third start in place of Purdy this season, having led the Niners 2-0 over his first two starts, throwing for 563 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception on 80 attempts.
The Rams come into Week 5 riding high after beating the previously undefeated Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, 27-20. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had a huge game, completing 29 of 41 passes for 375 yards and no interceptions. Wide receiver Puka Nacua caught 13 of those receptions from Stafford while amassing 170 yards receiving and catching one touchdown.
This highly touted Rams defense also came up big, forcing the Colts into three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) and sacking Daniel Jones twice. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 76 rushing yards after rushing for 102 (vs. the Titans) and 165 (vs. the Broncos). If the Rams can find a way to do the same to McCaffrey and the 49ers’ offense, sole possession of first place in the NFC West could be well within their grasp.
Date: Thursday, October 2
49ers-Rams start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, California
TV channel, live stream: Amazon Prime Video
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You can stream the Vikings-Browns London game and all primetime and out-of-market games on NFL+.
49ers-Rams inactives for Week 5
49ers inactives: QB Brock Purdy, WR Ricky Pearsall, WR Jauan Jennings, WR Jordan Watkins, DE Robert Beal
Rams inactives: TBA
49ers vs. Rams live blog
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the 49ers and Rams open up Week 5 on “Thursday Night Football.”