INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs into the endzone for a landing as Darious Williams #11 of the Los Angeles Rams defends within the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Picture by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photographs)
It wasn’t fairly, however the 49ers went into the frozen tundra that's Inexperienced Bay and pulled off one other highway upset, beating the Packers 13-10 to advance to the NFC Championship Sport.
It took a stout defensive effort and the most effective particular groups effort of the season to defeat the weather, the probably NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. However this imperfect San Francisco staff did simply that, they usually’re now only one win away from heading to their eighth Tremendous Bowl in franchise historical past.
Now, the Niners know they’ll play in a lot hotter climate subsequent week, even when they should wait to know precisely who they face till Sunday afternoon. However whoever wins between the No. 2 seed Buccaneers and No. 4 seed Rams, the Niners will as soon as once more should play on the highway.
So, who ought to the 49ers hope to see subsequent week? Let’s check out every potential opponent.
The case for the Rams
It’s nonetheless slightly loopy to consider, provided that the Rams have been one of many NFL’s greatest groups within the final fives years, however there could also be no higher matchup for the 49ers than this staff.
The Rams are legitimately good, having gained the NFC West at 12-5 this yr and racking up 55 wins within the final 5 common seasons (solely the Chiefs and Saints have extra). They’ve continued to intensify their star-studded roster with trades, including move rusher Von Miller and vast receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the course of the season after buying and selling for quarterback Matthew Stafford within the offseason.
And but, the 49ers have owned the Rams during the last three seasons, profitable all six matchups between the NFC West rivals — and sure, that features within the 49ers’ disappointing 2020 yr. San Francisco has gained a few of them by the slimmest of margins, notably the Week 18 matchup this yr that the 49ers needed to win in Los Angeles as a way to make the playoffs.
When the 49ers have the ball, it’s a dream set-up for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The Rams have constructed their protection round being fearsome in opposition to the move, permitting the second-fewest passing touchdowns (17) and tied for third in interceptions (19). Their move rush can also be deadly, ending the common season third in sacks with 50. They need opponents to try to throw it in opposition to them.
However the 49ers pleasure themselves on working the ball over and over and have had no disgrace in pounding a protection into submission. It’s principally what occurred in Week 10, when the Niners ran it 44 occasions for 156 yards in a 31-10 trouncing of the Rams, solely trying 19 passes. Even within the Week 18 matchup, when the 49ers needed to come again from down 17 factors, they nonetheless ran it 31 occasions to get their offense into rhythm.
On the opposite finish, the 49ers move rush has battered the Rams entrance in each 2021 matchups, getting seven sacks and serving to power Stafford into two interceptions in every sport. Los Angeles solely tried 10 rushes within the first matchup, however the second sport noticed them attempt to run it much more, however the San Francisco protection held them to 64 yards on 27 carries.
The Rams’ pass-catching weapons are, with out query, the most effective power on their offense, and the 49ers nonetheless had points containing MVP candidate Cooper Kupp in Week 18 even when taking part in a comparatively good sport. The standing of rising rookie cornerback Ambry Thomas, who missed the Packers sport with a bone bruise, will probably be price maintaining a tally of.
The case for the Bucs
If you happen to’re in search of the most effective narrative left within the playoffs, Tampa Bay and its ageless surprise of a quarterback Tom Brady internet hosting his former protege in Garoppolo and the 49ers couldn't be beat across the NFL. The place would scores be highest for this sport regionally: the San Francisco Bay Space, the Tampa Bay space … or Boston?
The truth that Brady, a Serra-San Mateo graduate who grew up an enormous 49ers fan, was reportedly prepared to return to the 49ers after they misplaced the Tremendous Bowl two years in the past solely provides extra layers to the narrative right here. Each quarterbacks can rightly really feel like a staff selected the opposite over them at one level or one other.
However relating to on-field matchups, the Bucs will be the worst matchup left for the 49ers. They’re famend for his or her rush protection, permitting the third-fewest speeding yards per sport (92.7) of any staff within the NFL. Additionally they strain the quarterback (28.6 %) greater than any protection besides Buffalo and have pressured 29 turnovers, tied for fifth-best within the NFL.
It’s a well-rounded, elite protection … however one which blitzes closely, with a 40.8% blitz charge that’s highest within the NFL on this common season. If groups can full their passes rapidly, they will get yards after the catch (YAC) — which the 49ers lead the league in on a per-catch foundation (6.6 YAC per completion).
Offensively, Brady is continuous to cheat Father Time whereas main an unimaginable aerial assault. Brady led the league in completions (485), makes an attempt (719), yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43). Tampa Bay’s elite offensive line stored Brady clear, permitting a league-low 23 sacks. They'll undoubtedly be the hardest passing problem to the 49ers secondary — and that’s even when Thomas can play.
Accidents have taken their toll on the Bucs, who misplaced vast receiver Chris Godwin for the season with a serious knee harm. On Sunday in opposition to the Rams, they’ll be with out vast receiver Breshad Perriman (hip/stomach), working again Ronald Jones (ankle) and should not have beginning offensive linemen Ryan Jensen (ankle) and Tristan Wirfs (ankle).
And as all the time is the query: what on the earth occurs if the 44-year-old Brady will get damage? Former 49er Blaine Gabbert is the backup, however maybe no staff is extra depending on a single participant than the Buccaneers are for Brady. He hasn’t missed a sport since 2016 (the 4-game DeflateGate suspension) and hasn’t missed as a result of harm since 2008, but it surely’s all the time one thing to observe.
Verdict
Whereas it could be extremely enjoyable to have a Garoppolo-Brady, 49ers-Buccaneers NFC Championship Sport down in Tampa Bay, the higher matchup for the 49ers could be very clearly the Rams.
And, in the event that they get a 3rd crack at their NFC West opponent on this season, it’s protected to guess that their followers will swarm SoFi Stadium as soon as once more and make it really feel like a home-away-from-home, identical to they did in Week 18.