As recently as the 2021 season, when the Rams beat the 49ers in the NFC Championship, the two California foes were viewed as fierce rivals. But after the Rams stumbled to a 5-12 record last season and are in salary cap hell this season – is there still a rivalry?
On Thursday’s edition of 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” hosts Mark Willard and Dan Dibley discussed the dynamics of the 49ers-Rams matchup heading into Sunday’s game at Levi’s South, er, SoFi Stadium.
The Cowboys have a case given the long history between the two franchises, and the fact that San Francisco and Dallas have met in each of the past two playoffs, with the Niners winning both tries. Or perhaps the Eagles-49ers rivalry is in its infancy after last season’s NFC Championship, this year’s Week 13 matchup and a possible rematch in the NFC title game.
When it comes to the 49ers and Rams, there are multiple storylines in play.
It starts with the coaches Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, who cut their teeth in the NFL on the same staff with the Washington Football team about a decade ago. McVay, 37, is younger than Shanahan, 43, but already has his Super Bowl ring.
There also has been a fair amount of trash talk between 49ers stars like Deebo Samuel and Rams star Aaron Donald via social media in recent years.
Then there's the fans, as 49ers Faithful have consistently taken over SoFi Stadium and are expected to do so again Sunday, as Vivid Seats reportedly projects that two-thirds of the stadium will be rooting for the Niners.