'Thursday Night Football' tonight: Color Rush, streaming, TV, why Rams will win

The Rams have struggled against the 49ers but that was during the Jeff Fisher era

By Ryan Wilson

Sep 21, 2017 at 4:36 pm ET • 4 min read

A year ago, the Rams and 49ers combined to go 6-26. If that sort of futility isn't an impetus to change we don't know what is. Both teams enter 2017 with young new head coaches -- Los Angeles' Sean McVay is 31; San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan is 37 -- both known for their abilities to field explosive offenses.

So far, we've yet to see what they had previously accomplished with the Redskins and Falcons, but that's only a matter of time. How much time, exactly, depends on one very important factor: Your quarterback. That's good news for McVay, who has already begun the process of remaking 2016 first-overall pick Jared Goff after a forgettable rookie season that included seven starts, a 54.6 completion percentage with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. In two games, Goff is completing 67 percent of his throws with two touchdowns and a pick.

Meanwhile, the 49ers have one of the league's worst offenses, ahead of only the Colts and Bengals, according to Football Outsiders' metrics. And journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer has been just that, ranking 31st among all starters (Andy Dalton is last). And while the 49ers have been replacement-level on defense, it's just not enough to overcome the deficiencies on offense. It's why we like the Rams to win Thursday night.

Our prediction: Rams 20, 49ers 13

How to watch, stream

Kickoff: Sept. 21, 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: fuboTV (Try for free)

Explain it one more time: Why isn't Colin Kaepernick on an NFL roster?

These two teams last met in Week 16 of the 2016 season, less than two weeks after the Rams mercifully put Jeff Fisher out of his misery. Goff got the start and the Rams led 21-7 in the fourth quarterback before Colin Kaepernick ran for a touchdown, threw another, and converted a two-point conversion to give the 49ers their second and last win of the season. For the Rams, it was their sixth straight defeat, and they'd go on to lose the season finale for good measure. Goff finished 11 of 24 for 90 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted two times and sacked four more. Running back Todd Gurley had 67 yards on 23 carries and also scored, and the team's leading receiver was Lance Kendricks, who managed 36 yards on three catches.

For the 49ers, Kaepernick (hey, there's his name again!) was 28 of 37 for 266 yards with three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and an interception. Carlos Hyde gained 38 yards on 13 carries and Rod Streater led all receivers with 63 yards on six catches.

"The last few possessions, it seemed like we gave up," Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson said after the game. "The whole team, including myself."

Colin Kaepernick said this was his favorite come-from-behind win of his career. #Niners #Rams #SFvsLA pic.twitter.com/kt527ExGb2
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) December 25, 2016

Here's your silver lining, 49ers fans

There are few reasons for 49ers fans to celebrate -- the team is 7-26 since Jime Harbaugh left for the University of Michigan and 3-19 since Week 14 of the 2015 season -- but here's a bright spot: The team's past three wins ... have all come against the Rams. The 49ers have averaged 23 points in those games, allowing just 12.3. Juxtapose that with their past 19 losses: 16.3 points scored, on average, while allowing 30.2.

The problem, of course, is that Fisher no longer coaches the Rams and Goff looks like a completely different player.

It's Color Rush Thursday (again), y'all!

Every Thursday is Color Rush Thursday in the NFL. You're welcome.

All black everything.

Color Rush is back on #TNF! #BeatLA pic.twitter.com/Acb6qkdVS1
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 19, 2017

Thursday’s threads are ready, are you?

📺 @nflnetwork
⏰ 5:25 PM PT#LAvsSF | #TNF pic.twitter.com/vfhRkRecXn
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 20, 2017

Just like last season, Color Rush will be a Thursday Night Football staple. In the meantime, here is every team's Color Rush uniform from 2016.

AFC Color Rush

NFC Color Rush

Thursday night TV schedule

Week 3: Rams at 49ers, Sept. 21 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Week 4: Bears at Packers, Sept. 28 at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS and NFLN
Week 5: Patriots at Buccaneers, Oct. 5 at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS and NFLN
Week 6: Eagles at Panthers, Oct. 12 at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS and NFLN
Week 7: Chiefs at Raiders, Oct. 19 at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS and NFLN
Week 8: Dolphins at Ravens, Oct. 26 at 8:25 p.m. ET on CBS and NFLN
Week 9: Bills at Jets, Nov. 2 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Week 10: Seahawks at Cardinals, Nov. 9 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC and NFLN
Week 11: Titans at Steelers, Nov. 16 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC and NFLN
Week 12: Giants at Redskins, Nov. 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Week 13: Redskins at Cowboys, Nov. 30 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC and NFLN
Week 14: Saints at Falcons, Dec. 7 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC and NFLN
Week 15: Broncos at Colts, Dec. 14 at 8:25 p.m. ET on NBC and NFLN

'TNF' comes to Amazon

After Twitter hosted several "Thursday Night Football" games during the 2016 for live streaming, it lost a bid for the NFL's 2017 streaming package to Amazon, which will stream 10 Thursday night games during the season as well as a Christmas Day game in Week 16 for Amazon Prime members. You can read more about Amazon's deal here.

Here are the games available for streaming from Amazon: