SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 15: San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle #85 makes a landing catch within the first quarter of their NFL recreation towards the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
The Los Angeles Rams earned the correct to host this Sunday’s NFC Championship Recreation, however given the current observe report, there’s little doubt San Francisco 49ers followers will invade SoFi Stadium and supply their crew with an extra edge.
Sure, the 49ers’ current domination of the Rams even extends into its fan base.
For the reason that begin of the 2019 season, the 49ers have owned each side of their head-to-head collection towards the Rams, profitable six consecutive video games, together with a Week 18 additional time victory that propelled Kyle Shanahan’s squad into the playoffs.
Three weeks after rookie Ambry Thomas hauled in Matt Stafford’s closing go of the common season for a game-sealing interception, the 49ers are headed again to Los Angeles for the possibility to advance to their second Tremendous Bowl within the final three years.
How have the 49ers imposed their will towards Rams head coach Sean McVay and one of the crucial proficient rosters within the NFC? We checked out 5 gamers who've had the best influence on San Francisco’s success.
Deebo Samuel
Unsurprisingly, the engine that makes the 49ers’ offense go can be the engine most ceaselessly seen bulldozing via the Rams’ protection.
Samuel acquired off to a sluggish begin in his profession towards Los Angeles as he racked up a mixed seven catches for 49 yards in two wins as a rookie, however he has been instrumental within the 49ers’ final 4 victories. In 2020, Samuel caught six passes for 66 yards and a landing within the 49ers’ 24-16 win earlier than snagging 11 receptions for 133 yards of their 23-20 victory.
This season, Samuel has completed a few of his greatest work towards the Rams. He caught 5 passes for 97 yards and a landing whereas speeding 5 occasions for 36 yards and one other rating in San Francisco’s 31-10 blowout at Levi’s Stadium. Within the 49ers’ 27-24 comeback win at SoFi Stadium in January, Samuel added 4 catches for 95 yards, eight rushes for 45 yards and a landing, and even threw a 24-yard landing go in a efficiency that proved he’s one of many NFL’s most versatile playmakers. 
George Kittle
Why doesn’t the Rams’ protection commit extra sources to stopping Samuel?
The reply seemingly has to do with the eye Los Angeles has to pay to Kittle, who has been a pressure all through his profession towards the Rams.
The 49ers’ six-game win streak started when Kittle caught eight passes for 103 yards in a 20-7 win in October 2019 and continued when he added 5 receptions for 79 yards and a landing in San Francisco’s 34-31 victory later that 12 months. Whereas Kittle missed one of many two matchups in 2020 attributable to damage, he made his presence felt within the different with a seven-catch, 109-yard recreation that additionally featured a 44-yard landing reception early within the second quarter.
The Rams held Kittle to simply 5 catches for 10 yards of their final matchup, however earlier this season, Kittle recorded 5 receptions for 50 yards and a landing in one other wonderful displaying.
When requested why San Francisco has maintained a bonus towards Los Angeles earlier this 12 months, Kittle pointed to the physicality of the 49ers’ offense.
“When our broad receivers determine to go hit safeties within the mouth on a run play, it sort of adjustments the sport,” Kittle mentioned. “You both must match that depth or you need to get out of the best way. Generally guys get out of the best way.”
Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw is greatest recognized for his NFC West-clinching play in 2019 towards one other division opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, however among the linebacker’s most interesting hours as a 49er have come towards the Rams.
The Arkansas product was a non-factor in his first profession matchup towards Los Angeles in 2019, because the then-rookie performed simply eight % of defensive snaps, however he overwhelmed the Rams the following day out as he led all 49ers defenders with 13 tackles (9 solo) and blended in a 0.5 sort out for loss.
Greenlaw was once more the main tackler (eight) in San Francisco’s 24-16 victory in 2020 and tied for the crew lead with Richard Sherman with seven tackles within the 49ers’ subsequent win over the Rams. Whereas an damage pressured Greenlaw to overlook this season’s October matchup, he picked up the place he left off in January as Greenlaw once more led all 49ers tacklers with 12 whereas including a quarterback hit in his crew’s additional time win.
In 4 profession begins towards the Rams, Greenlaw has been the 49ers’ main tackler 4 occasions. 
Arik Armstead
For the reason that 49ers drafted Nick Bosa No. 2 general in 2019, the Rams’ offensive line has completed a comparatively good job of neutralizing the 49ers’ star go rusher, who has 1.5 profession sacks in 4 video games towards Los Angeles.
With Bosa receiving additional consideration from the Rams’ entrance in Week 18, Armstead feasted with probably the greatest regular-season performances of his profession as he completed with 2.5 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and 7 whole tackles within the 49ers’ additional time win.
Armstead hasn’t been a constant star towards Los Angeles throughout the 49ers’ win streak, however he’s had different stable showings which have included two video games with at the very least 0.5 sacks and two video games with a go deflected. As one of many 49ers’ greatest run-stoppers, Armstead deserves credit score for plugging gaps towards a Rams’ offense that’s been held below 75 speeding yards in each video games towards San Francisco this season.
Daniel Brunskill
Wait, who?
The 49ers spent their second-round draft selection on Notre Dame offensive lineman Aaron Banks with the hope he could possibly be an instant-impact participant at proper guard, however heading into the NFC Championship Recreation, Shanahan is thrilled to have Brunskill on his facet.
The journeyman offensive lineman is hardly a standout, however he’s become a helpful asset towards the Rams by incomes a repute for his success towards future Corridor of Famer Aaron Donald. No inside defensive lineman within the NFL can wreck a recreation like Donald, however during the last two years, the Rams’ greatest participant hasn’t been almost as a lot of an element towards the 49ers partially as a result of Brunskill has dealt with him so nicely.
For the reason that begin of the 2020 season, Donald is barely chargeable for 1.0 sack and 5.0 tackles for loss towards San Francisco. The 5.0 tackles for loss are nonetheless spectacular, however the Brunskill-Donald matchup appears like one the Rams ought to be capable to exploit with extra regularity and that merely hasn’t occurred as a result of the 49ers’ proper guard has held his personal.
To be clear, Brunskill will need assistance from left guard Laken Tomlinson — who had considered one of his worst video games as a 49er in Inexperienced Bay — and heart Alex Mack, however the 49ers have motive to imagine they will comprise Donald as a result of Brunskill has proven he’s succesful. 