NFC Championship Game Preview

 

The San Francisco 49ers are one game away from making the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three seasons. At the same time, the Los Angeles Rams are in the same spot and could be in their second Super Bowl in the last four years if they win this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. 

These two teams know each other so well and they both play in the NFC West division, so this game should be another close one. Three weeks ago, the 49ers beat the Rams, 27-24 in overtime in L.A. after trailing 17-0 late in the first half. They also blew out the Rams, 31-10 in San Francisco back in November. In addition, the 'Niners have a six-game winning streak against the Rams. 

However, the Rams just dethroned the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and quarterback Matthew Stafford played well in that win, once again getting the monkey off his back that he "cannot win the big (game)."  If he continues to play that way, the Rams have an excellent chance of defeating San Francisco this Sunday. 

On the other side, the 49ers did just enough to knock out the Green Bay Packers last weekend in Lambeau Field. The blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown for the 49ers in the final five minutes of the game was huge and then, of course, kicker Robbie Gould drilled the game winning field goal as time expired. It all came together at the right time for the 49ers and they continue to ride that momentum as the NFC title game approaches.

In fact, the run the 49ers have been on since their 3-5 start is reminiscent of what the New York Giants did in both of their Super Bowl winning seasons of 2007 and 2011 when they got hot at just the right time. Whether or not the Rams can stop that momentum remains to be seen, but having a tremendous defense helps. They can stop the run and get after the opposing quarterbacks in much the same manner as San Francisco's defense does. 

The key to the game will be ball control for the 49ers on offense, keeping the explosive offense of L.A. off the field and not turning over the football, which QB Jimmy Garoppolo is prone to do. As for the Rams, they must contain the 49ers running game and utilize their play makers on offense to outscore San Francisco. One thing for sure, this game should go down to the wire and it might even be another overtime affair.

 

                                           GAME PICK -  San Francisco 23, Los Angeles 20