Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive ends Arden Key (98), Arik Armstead (91) and Samson Ebukam (56) throughout the first half of an NFL soccer recreation Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)
Sunday’s NFC Championship Sport is a NorCal-SoCal affair, pitting the San Francisco 49ers towards the host Los Angeles Rams. There’s additionally Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Matthew Stafford, red-clad Niners’ followers vs. Southern California’s ticket brokers, and, looky right here, a behind-the-scenes matchup within the SoFi Stadium press field.
To assist write this Hollywood script, we’re huddling up the Bay Space Information Group’s 49ers reporter, Cam Inman (@CamInman), and the Southern California Information Group’s Rams reporter, Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti). Let their back-and-forth recreation start:
Cam Inman: I’m so glad we will do that by way of e-mail. I feared you wouldn’t hear me over all these 49ers’ followers shouting all through Southern California about sacred, overpriced tickets. Talking of, are the Rams justifiably afraid of a “Crimson Out,” and are you already scalping my press field seat?
Kevin Modesti: Your seat is protected! You’ll even have parking inside a day’s hike, which isn’t a given at SoFi Stadium. Sounds as when you’re as curious as I'm about what the stands will seem like Sunday. Fewer Rams followers would possibly scalp their seats to 49ers followers this time. The common season is totally different from the common season, in any case. Because the 49ers and Packers demonstrated. Or ought to I say the Dodgers and Giants? That’s a solution to begin eager about this recreation: How do you suppose it is going to be totally different from the 2 this season — or the previous six conferences — received by the 49ers?
Inman: The distinction could be the Hollywood glitz that comes with a championship celebration. I’m anticipating Oscars-like music to cue the 49ers off stage with the Halas Trophy. This 49ers’ group has hanging similarities to their 2019 model that received the NFC: sturdy working recreation, suffocating cross rush, and a quarterback with a movie-star jawline. Talking of stars, it seems to be just like the Rams’ are prepared for this, from triple-crown horse Cooper Kupp to newcomers like Matthew Stafford, OBJ and Von Miller, proper?
Modesti: Weirdly, when the Rams acquired Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. in November, they instantly went on a three-game shedding streak that included the 31-10 loss at Levi’s Stadium. Since that stoop, their solely defeat is the loss to the 49ers in Week 18. Miller is wholesome and piling up sacks with Aaron Donald, and OBJ has match properly in injured Robert Woods’ receiver spot alongside Kupp. Stafford was turnover-free within the playoff wins over Arizona and Tampa Bay. My query stays how lengthy the aggressive Stafford can string collectively video games like that. Are there similarities to Jimmy Garoppolo?
Inman: Jimmy G is 6-0 towards the Rams, 4-1 in playoff begins, and, but, this recreation shouldn't be on his shoulders the way in which it's for Stafford. Keep in mind, two years in the past, Garoppolo was 6-of-8 for 77 yards in a run-fueled win to the NFC title towards Inexperienced Bay. Critics pounce when, every recreation, he throws premature and unpleasant interceptions (see: Jalen Ramsey’s Jan. 9 in a tied fourth quarter). Nonetheless, he comes by way of within the clutch. To come back again subsequent season and hold No. 3 draft decide Trey Lance on the bench, Garoppolo and the 49ers most likely should win this recreation. Can Aaron Donald alone forestall that?
Modesti: If anybody may do this by himself, it’s Aaron Donald — the perfect participant suiting up Sunday. He’s extra pushed than typical, if that’s potential, sniffing a second shot at an elusive Tremendous Bowl victory. This week, teammates have been speaking about how they too are motivated by attempting to get him again to the Tremendous Bowl. Donald is 30 now, and as a three-time NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, he has executed nearly every thing besides win a hoop. In order that is perhaps a major emotional element for the Rams this week. What’s the temper, the mindset, the id — decide a sports-psychology catchword — in 49ers camp?
Inman: That win-a-ring theme holds true at 49ers HQ, too, not just for Kyle Shanahan together with his close to misses (gulp) however for the 22 gamers nonetheless right here from the 2019 runner-up group. Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa had been rookies on that group and are their greatest gamers this season. Left deal with Trent Williams is so hellbent on advancing he’ll seemingly play on a bum ankle, which he did within the frosty comeback at Lambeau. Their collective confidence, plus their 2019-21 ownage of the Rams, has me selecting the Niners, 24-23, and them coming again for Tremendous Bowl LVI. “Howdy, Manhattan Seashore, I’d like a late checkout.” How’s that sound?
Modesti: Ownage! I do know that’s Bay Space sports activities lingo. However we Southern Californians can determine what it means if we take into consideration latest 49ers-Rams historical past. The 49ers most likely deserve extra credit score than lots of people right here give them. And extra credit score than Las Vegas offers them when it makes the Rams 3 1/2-point favorites. I’d be dissatisfied provided that it’s not the shut, hard-fought recreation that followers of each groups deserve. I’ll decide the identical rating as you probably did however a distinct winner, Rams prevailing 24-23. We’ll see how standard that result's in their very own stadium.
Inman: Tremendous, no “Tremendous Bowl” pun meant. So, in SoCal freeway parlance, the winner goes to take The Twenty-4 on the excessive street over The Twenty-Three. Honk when you’re comfortable.