It looks like the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will keep their scheduled date and kickoff time for the Week 18 matchup at SoFi Stadium. The NFL announced the three flexed games for the final weekend of the regular season, and 49ers-Rams was not among them.
NFL Communications has announced that the following three games have been flexed into different slots.
- At 1:30 PM PT, the Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Denver Broncos on ESPN/ABC.
- At 5:15 PM PT, the Dallas Cowboys will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN/ABC.
- The regular season will conclude with the Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football on NBC.
That might be good news for the 49ers, who don't have to worry about playing a crucial game on a shortened week. If San Francisco beats Los Angeles, they are guaranteed a playoff berth, no matter what anyone else does. However, should the Niners lose, they will need help to continue playing beyond Week 18.
On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the possibility of the NFL flexing 49ers-Rams to a different date, given the appeal of the matchup. In addition to the 49ers fighting for a playoff berth, the Rams are fighting to win the division.
"Honestly, I haven't even thought about it until you just asked that," Shanahan responded to the reporter. "I guess that does make sense, but I haven't thought past this game. They're all big, but we know how big this one is, so if that happens, great. We'll be ready for it."
It would appear the NFL found three other games more appealing.