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Both of these sides escaped relatively unscathed and look to enter this battle in the best form possible. The Niners would very much like to continue to generate the caliber of optimal form which has generated a half-dozen consecutive wins over the top-shelf Rams entry.

The Niners managed to do that in Week 10 with the aid and comfort of considerable established advantages in time of possession. San Fran made it even more difficult on itself by falling behind the Rams 17-0 through most of the first half in the regular-season finale, but the Niners put on a relentless second-half show to tie the game in the final half-minute. The 49ers scored first with a field goal in the overtime, Matthew Stafford then threw an over-aggressive heave in the general direction of Odell Beckham Jr., the Niners picked it off and that was that.

It is quite an extreme streak for one of two divisional sides of roughly equal ability to capture six straight triumphs over a comparable foe. Stafford is more of a classic passer than the frequently erratic Jimmy Garoppolo, but so long as the Niners signal-caller keeps his interceptions to a bare minimum, you can’t count out San Fran, especially in a high-pressure situation.

When Stafford is in his best groove, he’s a devil to beat, but spending a decade or so quarterbacking the Lions (a situation that was anything but high-pressure, contemplated in retrospect) may have taken a little bit off Stafford’s optimal form.

It’s darned hard to win on the road in January, especially in a game that means as much as this one does, for both sides. Still, wouldn’t be at all surprised if San Fran again prevails, especially should the Rams come up short in the poise department.

Expect the unexpected.

You’re compelled to grant the gritty Bengals an underdog puncher’s chance here, after what they’ve managed to accomplish — surviving the competitive Raiders in a wild-card clash before wunderkind quarterback Joe Borrow recovered from nine (count them, nine) sacks at the hands of the Titans, on the road.

We’ve held Burrow in high regard since shortly after the first time we ever set our eyes on the kid performing in action under center, and we’re not wavering in our admiration of his nerve or his basic abilities. That said, given the market numbers we’re faced with, we must avoid the temptation of taking the points, given the proposition at hand.

It has taken the likes of Tom Brady to send a Kansas City outfit led by Patrick Mahomes out to pasture in the postseason. The Bengals have shown they can hang tough versus comparable competition, but even the likes of Buffalo’s Josh Allen — no slouch, indeed — hasn’t managed to take down the likes of Mahomes, of late.

Still, Burrow has demonstrated top-shelf abilities despite his extreme youth, so long as he can continue to get up off the canvas despite the kind of repeated knock-down blows he absorbed from the likes of the top-seeded Titans last weekend.

Don’t doubt the Bengals will show up, one more time, though a straight-up win might prove a considerable reach, and should Burrow be sidelined, would not be optimistic about any endgame.

Given the prevailing form of the two sides, have concluded that while a play on the Bengals plus the number would seem a borderline hope, a lay on K.C. (even given the added half-point) would seem a conviction, so long as both sides remain relatively healthy.

Last week: 0-2
Season: 128-124-2