LA Rams vs 49ers rivalry comes to a head in NFC Championship Game

The causes

Since 2018, the LA Rams have lost their past six games to the San Francisco 49ers. Over that time span, the Rams have had Wade Phillips as the defensive coordinator (2019), Brandon Staley as the defensive coordinator (2020), and Raheem Morris as the defensive coordinator (2021). So it cannot be that the 49ers have ‘figured out’ the Rams defensive strategy and exploited that.

Over that time frame, the team has had John Fassel as the special teams coordinator (2019), John Bonamego as the special teams coordinator (2020), and Joe DeCamillis as the special teams coordinator (2021). And yet, the results have been the same.

The common element during the losing streak has been the offensive play-caller. The LA Rams scored 38 points in two games in 2019, 36 points in two games in 2020, and 34 points in two games in 2021. That averages out to just 18 points per game over the course of the losing streak.

That seems to point to the offensive play-calling duties – head coach Sean McVay

The LA Rams have turned the ball over a ridiculous number of times: two times in two games in 2019, four times in two games in 2020,  and four times in two games in 2021. The offense has struggled to convert on third and fourth downs:  four out of 23 attempts in 2019, eight out of 26 attempts in 2020, and 14 of 30 in 2021.

Signs point to the offensive play-calling again.

Mix up the play-calling

Now nobody is saying that the entire matter is a result of the offensive play calling. Players have to make plays. Ball carriers and quarterbacks must secure the football. Still, the Rams’ offense just sputters against the 49ers for little reason. That’s why we lobbied for offensive play-calling to be delegated for the playoffs.  It’s as though the 49ers know what the Rams are running, and have a distinct advantage.

Would it make sense for the Rams to mix in plays called by OC Kevin O’Connell for the NFC Championship Game? Why not? The Rams are 0-6 so far doing what they’ve been doing. Perhaps a change would shake things up. The LA Rams offense needs to put up a ton of points to win this weekend. To do that, they need to self-scout and eliminate their trends.

But just in case you are in despair, the LA Rams’ last loss on Week 18 showed several positive signs. The Rams ran the football. The Rams converted on third and fourth downs at nearly a 50 percent clip. The team is trending the right way.