For the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday’s task is simple: win and you’re in. They already have a win against the Rams under their belt this season, but the impending showdown of 18 is huge for the Niners. If they lose, Kyle Shanahan’s unit would have to turn its attention to Atlanta and hope that the Falcons beat the Saints, as a loss by the Niners and a victory by the Saints would knock the 49ers out of the playoff scene.
They have the unenviable task of trying to clinch a playoff spot against a Rams team that is still playing for a divisional title. The Rams and Cardinals are still competing for the NFC West, and the Rams can clinch a win or a loss for the Cardinals against the Seahawks. Matthew Stafford is coming off a rough week against the Ravens, a two-interception performance in which the Rams finally clinched a 20-19 victory thanks to some late-game heroics.
Those kinds of brutal victories have been big for the Rams as they look to freeze what has been an impressive divisional comeback. They close the season at home, and while a victory secures the division, it also puts a team that has had their number on the brink of elimination. Sean McVay and the Rams have lost five in a row to the Niners, most recently a 31-10 laugh earlier this season.
Part of the reason for that is matchmaking. The Rams defense has struggled against the run this year, and the 49ers run the ball just under 48 percent of the time, fourth in the NFL in terms of run percentage. Expect a large dose of that. For the Rams, the best answer is to come up early and have the 49ers play from behind. Trey Lance is coming off his first start at home, a 23-7 win over the Texans. Whether Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo play Sunday, the 49ers will need them to be at their best against a Rams team that has only added production as the season progresses.
Here’s what you need to know to watch 49ers vs. Rams this Sunday, including start time, TV channels and the full NFL week 18 schedule.
What channel are 49ers vs. Rams today?
- Television channel (national): Fox
- Television channel (San Francisco): KTVU
- Television channel (Los Angeles): KTTV
- Live broadcast: fox sports go, fuboTV
49ers vs. Rams will air regionally on local Fox affiliate channels in week 18. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are on the Fox call, while Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi handle secondary duties. Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino will return to Fox’s rules analysis, with other late games from Fox.
You can find the 49ers ‘away broadcast on SiriusXM channel 380, while the Rams’ home broadcast airs on channel 227.
In Canada, viewers can watch 49ers vs. Rams with a subscription to DAZN, including all NFL games.
49ers vs. Rams
- Date: Sunday, January 9
- Kick off: 4:25 Eastern Standard Time, 1:25 Pacific Time
49ers vs. Rams is scheduled to start at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday. This is America’s Game of the Week, which means anyone who doesn’t have a late home game on Fox will get this one.
2021 San Francisco 49ers Schedule
Week | Date | Adversary | Start time | TV |
one | September 12 | in lions | 1 pm ET | Fox |
two | September 19th | in eagles | 1 pm ET | Fox |
3 | September 26 | against packers | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
4 | October 3 | against sea hawks | 4:05 pm ET | Fox |
5 | October 10th | in cardinals | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
6 | BYE | – | – | – |
7 | October 24th | against foals | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
8 | 31 October | in the bears | 1 pm ET | Fox |
9 | November 7 | against cardinals | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
10 | November 15 | against rams | 8:15 pm ET | ESPN |
eleven | November 21 | in jaguars | 1 pm ET | Fox |
12 | November 28 | against vikings | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
13 | December 5th | in the sea hawks | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
14 | December 12th | in flares | 1 pm ET | CBS |
fifteen | Decembre 19th | against hawks | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
sixteen | December 23th | into titans | 8:20 pm ET | NFL Network |
17 | January 2 | against jeans | 4:05 pm ET | CBS |
18 | January 9th | in rams | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
Los Angeles Rams 2021 Schedule
Here’s the full Los Angeles Rams schedule for 2021.
Week | Date | Adversary | Start time | TV |
one | September 12 | against bears | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
two | September 19th | in the foals | 1 pm ET | Fox |
3 | September 26 | against buccaneers | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
4 | October 3 | against cardinals | 4:05 pm ET | Fox |
5 | October 7 (Thursday) | in the sea hawks | 8:20 pm ET | Fox / NFLN / Amazon |
6 | October the 17th | in giants | 1 pm ET | Fox |
7 | October 24th | against lions | 4:05 pm ET | Fox |
8 | 31 October | in jeans | 1 pm ET | Fox |
9 | November 7 | against titans | 8:20 pm ET | NBC |
10 | November 15 (Monday) | in 49ers | 8:15 pm ET | ESPN |
eleven | BYE | – | – | – |
12 | November 28 | in packers | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
13 | December 5th | against jaguars | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | CBS |
14 | December 13 (Monday) | in cardinals | 8:15 pm ET | ESPN |
fifteen | Decembre 19th | against sea hawks | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
sixteen | December 26 | in vikings | 1 pm ET | Fox |
17 | January 2 | in the crows | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |
18 | January 9th | against the 49ers | 4:25 PM Eastern Time | Fox |