Thursday Trivia*

Prediction*

Author

Sam Cartwright
December 12, 2024

For this week’s challenge, I thought I’d toss in a prediction, and with only a few weeks left in the NFL regular season, why not make it for the Thursday night game?

TODAY’S PREDICTION: We have a big NFC West matchup tonight as the Niners (6-7) host the Rams (7-6). Both teams are chasing the division-leading Seahawks (8-5), who face the Packers on Sunday night football.

We will work off the spread again to keep things interesting. Currently, the 49ers are three-point favorites (SF -3). An explainer is below if you need a refresher on how spreads work.

Rams @ Niners

Spread: SF -3

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If it’s a push (meaning the 49ers win by exactly 3 points), we all lose.

My take: Rams cover the spread

I like the Rams in a shootout. Their offense has been good recently with Puka and Kupp back in the lineup.

Yesterday’s Trivia: The Kansas Jayhawks (currently ranked 10th) beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 72–69 in the 2022 national title game.

A spread in sports betting is a way to even the playing field between a favorite and an underdog by giving or taking points.

Here’s how it works, using today as an example:

SF -3 points:

San Francisco (SF) is the favorite.

This means San Francisco needs to win by more than 3 points (so 4 or more points) for a bet on them to win (or that they cover the spread)

If they win by 4 or more, that means San Francisco (SF) covered the spread

If they win by 2 or less, or lose, that means San Francisco (SF) did not cover the spread.

So the question is, do you think the Niners will win by 4 points or more, or do you think the Rams will either win or lose by less than 3 points?

If San Francisco (SF) wins by exactly 3 points, it is called a “push,” which is essentially a tie (if you were betting on the game, you would get refunded your money).

A push is why sportsbooks often use half-point spreads (like -3.5 or +3.5) to avoid ties.

Thanks for playing. See you tomorrow.

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