49ers news: Will history repeat itself against the Rams?

Every NFL season and team is different than years past. No two situations are the same between NFL teams, and especially division rivals.

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are tied at the top of the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks at 3-1, but the Rams and 49ers’ paths to the division lead are far different.

The Rams’ lone loss was a second-half comeback victory by the Philadelphia Eagles, and last week, the Rams won on a late touchdown throw to Tutu Atwell, with the Colts playing with ten men on defense. The Rams have Matthew Stafford, an excellent defense, and the best wide receiver in football through four weeks.

On the other hand, the 49ers’ lone loss was last week, and it was a particularly frustrating loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which resulted in more costly injuries. The 49ers could head into Thursday’s game without their starting quarterback, both starting wide receivers, and Nick Bosa.

But can history predict the future for these two teams, which are very familiar with each other?

In the last ten regular-season meetings, the 49ers have a 7-3 record against the Rams, with one of the losses coming in 2023 when Carson Wentz faced off with Sam Darnold in the season finale. Los Angeles does have a three-game winning streak, but the margins of victory in the three games are one point, three points, and six points in a rain-soaked game in 2024.

The 49ers were majorly injured in 2024, but no matter who is on the field, the game is always close. Both teams know each other very well, and divisional games always come down to who makes more plays and fewer mistakes.

There is one interesting stat for the 49ers/Rams rivalry: Since 2019, the 49ers have routinely bounced back following losses against the Rams, with some of the most egregious losses in the Kyle Shanahan era coming before a matchup with the Rams.

The 49ers followed up a thrilling victory over the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome with a clunker of a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Nobody panicked following that loss, but it was a massive letdown for the eventual NFC Champs. Enter the Rams in a prime-time game on Saturday night.

The 49ers beat the Jared Goff-led Rams 34-31 to get back on the winning track. Close game, in prime time, and a 49ers win.

No Nick Bosa, no starting quarterback, and a litany of injuries. The Miami Dolphins embarrassed the 49ers in Levi’s Stadium by a score of 43-17. Next week is Sunday Night Football, the 49ers beat the Rams 24-16. Following a loss in New Orleans and a bye week, the 49ers faced the Rams again in LA with Nick Mullens starting again. The 49ers won 23-20. Robert Saleh was the defensive coordinator in 2020, for what it’s worth.

Colt McCoy and the Arizona Cardinals whipped the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Week 9, dropping the 49ers’ record to 3-5. Enter the Rams on Monday Night Football in Santa Clara, facing a much-maligned 49ers group, the 49ers beat up on the Rams with a 31-10 win in prime time. Another win after a loss in prime time.

Does anyone remember the infamous Jimmy Garoppolo “pick eight” play in Denver? Yeah, that loss was brutal on national TV, but the Rams were next on the schedule in prime time on Monday Night Football. A 24-9 win followed the awful loss to the Broncos. See the trend?

One more in 2022, the 49ers got worked by the Kansas City Chiefs after trading for Christian McCaffrey at home. Next week? You guessed it, the Rams at SoFi, and the 49ers won 31-14. Garoppolo was the backup heading into that season, but Brock Purdy eventually took over for the injured signal caller.

If you’re wondering why 2023 and 2024 aren’t mentioned, the 49ers swept the Rams in 2023 and the Rams swept the 49ers in 2024.

Let’s put it all together. A frustrating loss, an undermanned and absolutely counted out 49ers team, and a prime time Thursday night Football matchup in LA. I’m not saying, I’m just saying.

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