In order to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams will need to get through an opponent they know far too well in the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
The Rams and 49ers were considered underdogs in their NFC Divisional Round matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, respectively, but both teams came out victorious to set up what should be an epic contest. Although San Francisco has gotten the best of Los Angeles in recent years, the latter will be amply motivated to finally win against their rival.
Aaron Donald fully understands what a victory over the 49ers would mean and the star defensive tackle is looking forward to the challenge on Sunday, via Brady Henderson of ESPN:
“You don’t want it no other way,” said Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who had three hits and a sack of Brady. “I feel like it’s like the perfect setting. To get to where we need to get, we’ve got to play a divisional opponent that got the best of us the last couple times. So you wouldn’t want it no other way than what we got right now. So get ready for a dog fight.”
Los Angeles had a chance to keep San Francisco out of the playoffs had they held on to a 17-point lead in Week 18, but the latter stuck to their script of running the football and playing well up front to ultimately come back and win in overtime. Matthew Stafford’s deep pass intended for Odell Beckham Jr. was picked off and the 49ers would secure the last Wild Card spot in the process.
Kyle Shanahan has outcoached Sean McVay in their past six matchups, but this time around the Rams should be well-prepared for whatever the 49ers throw at them. It seems fitting that L.A.’s opportunity to play a Super Bowl at home in SoFi Stadium will come down to whether or not they can overcome a San Francisco squad that has had their number.
