Turf Show Times
The 49ers are following the Rams’ 2023 blueprint — and it makes them a real threat in the NFC West
When the Los Angeles Rams moved back to California in 2016, had more impact than just the off-the-field economic benefits that many predicted. Throughout the 1980s, the Rams took second place in the NFC West on six different occasions. In all six years, it was the San Francisco 49ers who won the division. With both teams located in California, this was the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants. This was one of the best rivalries in the NFL.
That rivalry remained in place during the early seasons following the Rams’ move to St. Louis. After beating the 49ers early in 1999, that was the moment that the Greatest Show on Turf team knew that they were a legitimate contender. These two teams beating each other meant something.
However, that shifted after the division realignment and as the Rams spent more time in the midwest. By the time the mid-2010s came around, the Seattle Seahawks had grown to be their top division rival. In 2004, the Rams beat the Seahawks three times, including once in the playoffs. The 2010 season ended with a winner take all matchup in which the Charlie Whitehurst-led Seahawks beat the Rams beat the Rams to win the NFC West. With the Seahawks on top, it was Jeff Fisher’s Rams that seemed to be their kryptonite.
Following the move back to Los Angeles, the Rams and 49ers rivalry has rekindled some of the magic that was previously lost. It was the Rams beating the 49ers in the 2021 NFC Championship game that culminated in a Super Bowl win.
All of that is to say that, it’s very difficult for either team and the fanbases to give each other credit. Nobody in the Rams fanbase wants to rate the 49ers highly. Still, after a 6-11 season, the 49ers are a team being overlooked, especially as the Rams enter a season in which they are seen as a top contender.
When looking at the current version of the 49ers, it’s hard not to see a near-perfect reflection of the 2023 Rams. Following the Rams’ Super Bowl season, there was the infamous ‘run it back’ chants during the parade celebrations. The Rams ran it back and things didn’t go as planned to say the least. While they started the season 3-3, they lost nine of their final 11 games after their bye week with injuries and lack of depth being a major factor.
Much of the same can be said about the 49ers of last season. Instead of moving on from unhappy players such as Deebo Samuel, it was clearly a band that no longer wanted to tour together. Add in the fact that they finished second all-time in adjusted games lost at running back due to injury and were also high in adjusted games lost at defensive back, defensive line, linebacker, and wide receiver. They managed to...
