Week 5 TNF DFS Showdown: Rams vs 49ers Strategy & Picks

In this week’s episode of the Heater Dynasty Podcast, I break down the Week 5 Thursday Night Football DFS showdown slate featuring the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers, and give my top Rams vs. 49ers Strategy & Picks. This matchup comes with plenty of intrigue — not only because of the long-standing NFC rivalry, but also because the 49ers are dealing with a wave of injuries that could completely reshape both the game script and our DFS builds.

Alongside my analysis, I also showcase my custom DFS lineup builder tool, designed specifically for NFL slates. It’s available now on Patreon and Etsy, and it’s a resource I use to build and test strategies across every showdown slate.

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Game Outlook: Rams Heavy Favorites

The sportsbooks have the Rams favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points with an over/under of 45.5. On paper, the Rams should dominate this game, especially with the 49ers missing critical offensive players:

• Brock Purdy (QB)
• Ricky Pearsall (WR)
• Jauan Jennings (WR)
• George Kittle (TE)

Without their starting quarterback and key pass catchers, the 49ers’ offense will look drastically different, which creates both risk and opportunity in DFS showdown formats.

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Captain Choices: Stars vs. Leverage

When it comes to the captain spot, the obvious top options are:

• Puka Nacua (Rams WR) – elite volume, top projected points, but very high ownership.
• Christian McCaffrey (49ers RB) – high target share, touchdown equity, and strong game script alignment.

Both players will anchor the majority of lineups, but their high cost and popularity could lead to heavily duplicated builds.

That’s where leverage comes into play. Exploring contrarian captains like Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, or even a 49ers defense/kicker build could separate your lineup from the field in large tournaments.

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Flex & Value Plays

With pricing tight on this slate, salary relief becomes critical. Some value options to consider include:

• Jake Tongas (49ers TE) – possible expanded role with Kittle out.
• Kyle Juszczyk (49ers FB) – unconventional, but could see unexpected usage.
• Davis Allen (Rams TE) and Jordan Whittington (Rams WR) – low-cost pivots if you’re stacking Rams stars.
• Kickers & Defenses – given the injuries and potential for a grind-it-out game, these plays are more viable than usual.

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Stacking & Ownership Considerations

Most lineups will feature some version of the Rams stack — Stafford + Nacua + McCaffrey — but this creates a risk of duplicated rosters. To gain leverage:

• Mix in lesser-owned 49ers players who benefit from injuries.
• Consider game narratives where the 49ers keep it close, forcing hidden receivers into the spotlight.
• Don’t be afraid to use “weird” constructions like double kicker or defense-heavy builds in certain scripts.

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Narrative-Driven Builds Over Pure Projections

One of the biggest points I emphasize in showdown slates is this: don’t just build lineups based on projections. Instead, construct around a game narrative.

• If the Rams dominate early, what does that look like in DFS?
• If the 49ers somehow stay competitive, which players make that happen?
• If injuries force odd players into action, who benefits most?

These story-based builds often outperform projection-heavy lineups in GPP tournaments, where uniqueness is just as important as raw scoring potential.

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Final Thoughts

The Week 5 Rams vs. 49ers showdown slate is a puzzle shaped by injuries, ownership trends, and salary compression. While the Rams are clear favorites, the DFS edge lies in identifying contrarian leverage plays from the 49ers’ depth chart and building lineups around unique game narratives.

I’ll continue updating my Rams vs. 49ers Strategy & Picks throughout the week as injury reports develop. If you want access to my DFS lineup builder tool, you can find it on Patreon and Etsy — it’s designed to give you a strategic edge across every NFL slate.

Stay tuned for more podcast episodes, blog posts, and strategy breakdowns as the season rolls on!