49ers TNF flop did not help the LA Rams reputation

The LA Rams NFL reputation took a hit thanks to the 49ers TNF flop in front of a national audience

The LA Rams are 5-3 and after Thursday Night Football’s contest between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, are a half-game more secure in the standings than the 4-5 49ers.  You see, the Packers obliterated the 49ers on a live national football broadcast.  The final score of 34-17 was respectable, only because the Packers surrendered two touchdowns in the final minutes of the game. Prevent defenses prevent nothing.

But this game was as much about the 49ers’ injuries, COVID-19, and absent players as it was about the rematch of the NFC Championship. That is, to the fans of the San Francisco 49ers, at least.

But much like the LA Rams experience in 2019 had taught them, the national forum doesn’t care about injuries, COVID-19, or any other temporary challenge an NFL team must battle through. It comes down to winning. And in a widely anticipated game between the Packers and the 49ers, the 49ers didn’t win.

Not so nice for NFC West

The nation has an East Coast bias in the world of collegiate sports.  Whenever and wherever subjective comparison occurs, fans believe that teams from the east are better overall. That comes from years of viewing primarily East coast teams. And it’s that same perception of better talent, more competitive teams, and the belief that to make it in sports, you need to play east.

Right now, the three least competitive teams in the NFL are the New York Jets, the New York Giants, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The worst struggling west coast team is the 2-5 LA Chargers.  Right now, the NFC West division is the NFL’s most competitive division. Still, fans are a fickle lot and a performance like that of the 49ers drags all the NFC West teams down with them.

Yes the LA Rams benefit from the 49ers loss. But the way the 49ers appeared in the game was tough to watch. So the loss helped the Rams. But the way the 49ers lost? That only helped the Green Bay Packers.