Oddsmakers Hint at Reverse Line Movement for Rams vs. 49ers on Monday Night Football

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers appear to be headed in opposite directions in the NFC West, but to the surprise of many public bettors, it's the struggling 49ers that have the support of the sportsbooks.

After opening at Rams -4 on the road, the line for Monday Night Football has shifted towards the 49ers side at +3.5. This is despite the Rams getting 87.9% of the spread tickets at WynnBET Sportsbook, along with 95.1% of the money.

In most cases, sportsbooks usually shift the line to try and get even action on both sides. But if there's a lopsided amount of both betting tickets and handle on one side, why not shift the spread towards Los Angeles instead?

This appears to be a case of reverse line movement, where despite uneven action on one side (Los Angeles), sportsbooks understands that the sharp side is actually on San Francisco. Therefore, they shift the line away from the professionals in anticipation that more of them are likely to have action away from the rest of the betting public.

Rams vs. 49ers Appears to be a Pros vs. Joes Game

I asked WynnBET Senior Trader Motoi Pearson to explain their rationale behind the line shift, and whether they were moving the number based on money they had received at their book.

"We haven't really received anything to book toward the money," Pearson told BetSided.

"A few of us have a slight lean on the 49ers, so we've respected the market move on San Francisco."

With this type of discrepancy, now might be the last chance to grab the 49ers with the three points and the hook (3.5) ahead of Monday Night Football. If the sportsbooks haven't moved the number back towards the Rams with 95% of the money, it appears unlikely they would do so again.

BetSided's team of editors and writers have you covered for Monday's matchup with a full betting preview, along with our favorite prop bets and same game parlay.

We also highlighted how you can turn a $1 bet into $100 if either the Rams or 49ers score a touchdown Monday night!