For the San Francisco 49ers, the task on Sunday is simple: Win and you’re in. They have a win against the Rams under their belt already this season, but the looming 18 matchup is huge for the Niners. If they lose, Kyle Shanahan’s unit would have to turn its attention to Atlanta and hope the Falcons beat the Saints, as a Niners loss and a Saints win would knock the 49ers out of the playoff picture.
They have the unenviable task of trying to clinch a playoff berth against a Rams team that is still playing for a divisional title. The Rams and Cardinals are still duking it out for the NFC West, and the Rams can clinch with either a win or a Cardinals loss to the Seahawks. Matthew Stafford is coming off of a rough week against the Ravens, a two-interception performance that the Rams ultimately eked out a 20-19 victory in thanks to some late-game heroics.
Those kinds of gutty wins have been big for the Rams, as they look to ice what’s been an impressive divisional comeback. They close out the season at home, and while a win clinches the division, it also puts a team that has had their number on the brink of elimination. Sean McVay and the Rams have dropped five straight to the Niners, most recently a 31-10 laugher earlier this season.
Part of the reason for that is the matchup. 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 heavy dose of that. For the Rams, the best answer is to go up early and make the 49ers play from behind. Trey Lance is coming off his first home start, a 23-7 win over the Texans. Whether it’s Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo playing Sunday, the 49ers will need them to be at their best against a Rams team that has only added production as the season has gone on.
Here’s what you need to know to watch 49ers vs. Rams this Sunday, including kickoff time, TV channels, and the full Week 18 NFL schedule.
MORE: Watch 49ers vs. Rams live with fuboTV (free trial)
What channel is 49ers vs. Rams on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU
- TV channel (Los Angeles): KTTV
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, fuboTV
49ers vs. Rams will be broadcast regionally on local Fox affiliate channels in Week 18. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are on the call for Fox, while Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi handle sideline duties. Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino will pick up Fox’s rules analysis, with Fox’s other late games.
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, which includes every NFL game.
49ers vs. Rams start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 9
- Kickoff: 4:25 EST, 1:25 PST
49ers vs. Rams is scheduled to start at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. This is America’s Game of the Week, meaning anyone without a local late game on Fox will get this one.
San Francisco 49ers schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | at Eagles | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | at Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | vs. Colts | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | at Bears | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | vs. Rams | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | at Jaguars | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | vs. Vikings | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | at Seahawks | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | vs. Falcons | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 23 | at Titans | 8:20 p.m. ET | NFL Network |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | vs. Texans | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | at Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
Los Angeles Rams schedule 2021
Here is the Los Angeles Rams’ complete schedule for 2021.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | vs. Bears | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | at Colts | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 7 (Thursday) | at Seahawks | 8:20 p.m. ET | Fox/NFLN/Amazon |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | at Giants | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | vs. Lions | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | at Texans | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Titans | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 10 | Nov. 15 (Monday) | at 49ers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 11 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | at Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | vs. Jaguars | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 13 (Monday) | at Cardinals | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | vs. Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | at Ravens | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | vs. 49ers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
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