Thursday Night Football Week 5 2025

Thursday Night Football Week 5 2025

NFC West Rivals Clash: 49ers vs. Rams on Thursday Night Football

The stage is set for a pivotal NFC West showdown as the San Francisco 49ers (3-1) travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams (3-1) on Thursday Night Football, October 2, 2025. This highly anticipated divisional matchup kicks off at 8:15 PM ET on Amazon Prime Video, with both teams looking to gain an edge in what’s shaping up to be a competitive race for the division crown.

Current Standings

Both the 49ers and Rams enter Week 5 with identical 3-1 records, creating a logjam near the top of the NFC West standings. These two California rivals have shown flashes of brilliance in the opening month of the season, positioning themselves as legitimate playoff contenders in the conference.

Recent Performances

The Rams come into this matchup with momentum after an impressive 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with speedy receiver Tutu Atwell for a game-changing 88-yard touchdown that proved to be the difference-maker.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are looking to bounce back after suffering their first defeat of the 2025 campaign at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite the return of quarterback Brock Purdy from a turf toe injury, costly turnovers—including a late fumble—sealed San Francisco’s fate.

Key Players to Watch

For Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford continues to demonstrate why he remains one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. His ability to connect on deep passes, as evidenced by last week’s bomb to Atwell, makes the Rams’ offense dangerous from anywhere on the field. Head coach Sean McVay will be looking for a complete four-quarter performance from his squad, something they’ve shown glimpses of but haven’t fully achieved this season.

On the San Francisco side, all eyes will be on Brock Purdy as he continues to work his way back to full strength following his toe injury. In his return against Jacksonville, Purdy completed 22 of 38 pass attempts for 309 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The dual-threat capabilities of running back Christian McCaffrey, who led the 49ers with both 49 rushing yards and 92 receiving yards last week, will be crucial to their offensive game plan.

Defense and Game Outlook

Both teams boast formidable defenses, with the 49ers ranked 4th and the Rams 8th in defensive EPA per play entering Week 4. Despite the defensive strength on both sides, oddsmakers have set the total near 50 points, though history suggests this divisional matchup could be a lower-scoring affair.

The Rams are currently favored by 5.5 points, likely influenced by the 49ers’ injury concerns and the home-field advantage at SoFi Stadium.

Game Significance

This early-season divisional clash could have significant implications for the NFC West race and potential playoff seeding. A win for either team would not only improve their record to 4-1 but also provide a valuable tie-breaker within the division.