Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams runs away from free safety Jimmie Ward (1) of the San Francisco 49ers after a catch during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, of the Los Angeles Rams passes the ball away from pressure from defensive end Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a stop against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, right, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a stop against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, center right, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with outside linebacker Leonard Floyd after the defense makes a stop against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles away from pressure by nose tackle Greg Gaines (91) of the Los Angeles Rams the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, center, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a stop against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, right, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a stop against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles away from pressure by nose tackle Greg Gaines (91) of the Los Angeles Rams the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald, center, of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a stop against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., left, of the Los Angeles Rams makes a catch as outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, center, of the San Francisco 49ers and cornerback Ambry Thomas defend during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Field judge Tom Hill, center, stops an altercation after wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass, then gets hit late by free safety Jimmie Ward (1) of the San Francisco 49ers for a penalty, as wide receiver Cooper Kupp, left, also stops Beckham during the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Nose tackle Greg Gaines (91) of the Los Angeles Rams stops fullback Kyle Juszczyk, above, of the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
tight end Kendall Blanton, left, of the Los Angeles Rams runs for a first down after a catch against outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, center, of the San Francisco 49ers and middle linebacker Fred Warner, right, in the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, of the Los Angeles Rams passes the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown catch by tight end George Kittle (85) as safety Nick Scott (33) of the Los Angeles Rams walks away in the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, right, of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, right, of the Los Angeles Rams catches a 16-year touchdown pass against safety Jaquiski Tartt of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, left, of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass under pressure by defensive end Aaron Donald (99) the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, right, of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles away from defensive end Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek of the Los Angeles Rams misses a long pass in the end zone during the first half of a NFC championship football gameagainst the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, right, of the Los Angeles Rams gets stopped by outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers on a 14-yard scramble during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers gets tackled by Los Angeles Rams in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass in the first half of a NFC championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams scrambles in the first half of a NFC championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams looks to make a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek of the Los Angeles Rams misses a long pass in the end zone during the first half of a NFC championship football gameagainst the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Brandon Powell, left, of the Los Angeles Rams dives for the pylon to score on a 44-yard touchdown catch and run past cornerback Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, of the Los Angeles Rams get sacked by defensive end Nick Bosa, center, of the San Francisco 49ers, as guard Austin Corbett (63) attempts to block,during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, right, of the Los Angeles Rams gets stopped by outside linebacker Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers on a 14-yard scramble during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a 16-year touchdown pass to wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10), as safety Jaquiski Tartt, left, of the San Francisco 49ers walks away during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, right, of the Los Angeles Rams catches a 16-year touchdown pass against safety Jaquiski Tartt of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left, of the San Francisco 49ers gets taken down by safety Nick Scott, center, of the Los Angeles Rams with inside linebacker Troy Reeder in on the tackle during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) of the Los Angeles Rams gets around cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) of the San Francisco 49ers for a first down during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers passes the ball behind guard Laken Tomlinson (75) during the first half of a NFC championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Running back Cam Akers (23) of the Los Angeles Rams gets stopped by defensive end Jordan Willis (94) of the San Francisco 49ers and safety Jaquiski Tartt (3) during the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Free safety Jimmie Ward, right, of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams, as defensive back K’Waun Williams (24) gets in between in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Free safety Jimmie Ward (1) of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) of the Los Angeles Rams, as defensive back K’Waun Williams (24) gets in between in the first half of a NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Running back Cam Akers, left, of the Los Angeles Rams gets stopped by defensive back K’Waun Williams of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) of the San Francisco 49ers hands off the ball to wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, center, of the Los Angeles Rams readies to take the field before an NFC championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs past the Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Von Miller (40) during the first half of an NFC championship football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
San Francisco 49ers fans gather before an NFC championship football game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Rams fans hold up the national flag during the anthem before an NFC championship football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Defensive end Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams takes the field before an NFC championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Rams fans holds up a placard before an NFC championship football game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 30, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD – If any image told the story of a celebratory evening in Inglewood, it would have been this.
The huge Oculus video board suspended over the field at SoFi Stadium showed a contingent of 49ers fans – you know, the ones that had been so loud, so confident and yeah, kind of boastful – heading toward the exits, and up the escalators, as the game clock ticked toward zero Sunday evening.
The Niners had won six straight over the Rams, those memes about Kyle Shanahan’s mastery over Sean McVay were still circulating, and the word “ownage” had become a thing in the Bay Area media.
And maybe that’s how you handle those who can irritate you the most. Give them hope and then snatch it away. Preferably, do it when it means the most and in the most excruciating way possible.
L.A. keeps doing so to San Francisco. There was the play-in victory by the Lakers over the Warriors last spring but I’m not sure that really counts since that was at the bottom of the NBA playoff field. But there was the Dodgers knocking out the Giants in Game 5 in San Francisco last October, a dramatic race between those ancient rivals reduced to one elimination game and turning on the unexpected heroics of Cody Bellinger (and, our neighbors to the north still fume, one checked swing that maybe wasn’t).
And then there was Rams 20, 49ers 17 Sunday night, sending the Rams to the Super Bowl on their home field and the 49ers home, and a game with no officiating controversy but more twists and turns than Lombard Street. (There is no Los Angeles counterpart to that famously twisty San Francisco road, as far as I can tell.)
The Rams dominated the first half in everything but the score, but they were in peril in the second half, trailing 17-7 at the end of the third quarter. The 49ers, perhaps underdogs in the Latest Line but not in their approach, imposed their will, and the Rams helped out with some inefficiency on the field – two drops of potential touchdown passes, a wide right field goal by Matt Gay on a 54-yard try, an inability to get a yard on three straight plays resulting in a turnover on downs – and a couple of truly head-scratching challenges by Sean McVay, both of which he lost to exhaust the Rams’ three second-half timeouts with 10 minutes to play.
Yet they won. The offense turned efficient, the defense – exhorted by Aaron Donald on the sideline between series – put pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo and shut the Niners down, and second-year inside linebacker Travin Howard made the play of his brief career when he dove to pick off a Garoppolo pass that tipped off JaMychal Hasty’s hands at the 49er 19 with 1:09 to play, sealing the victory.
It was a severe contrast to these teams’ last meeting in this building, Jan. 9, when the Rams let a 17-0 lead get away in a 27-24 overtime loss that enabled the 49ers to get into the playoffs and get on a roll with victories at Dallas and Green Bay.
But maybe this was meant to be.
“I told people, they’re going to beat Dallas,” Odell Beckham Jr. said. “I told them they were gonna beat Green Bay and we were going to have an opportunity to come here and play them again and just fully capitalize on it. Like I said, that 0-6 (against them), whatever was going to happen, I mean, the story could not be written any better for us to play to them in this situation and shut the door.”
Standing next to Beckham at the podium, Von Miller added this: “They beat us, you know. If we’d have won that (Week 18) game, you know, I don’t think the teams line up to create this path for us.”
Then he added with a laugh: “It definitely feels good to get our league back.”
Among other things, the go-for-broke attitude of general manager Les Snead and the Rams front office has been almost vindicated. Almost. The thinking behind trading for Matthew Stafford, trading for Miller, trading for Sony Michel, signing Beckham, and the rest had one goal: Be one of the two teams playing in SoFi Stadium on Feb. 13.
Now there’s one goal, to be the last team standing, and Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in the way.
Understandably, none of this has seemed to sink in yet for Stafford, who now will get a chance to play in a Super Bowl after 12 seasons in Detroit wondering what on earth it might be like.
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“I don’t know that I ever thought about what I would be feeling at this moment, other than that I probably just sat there and wished I could be in those (important) games,” he said. “And I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to be in ’em, and now I’ve got the opportunity to be in another one that I’ve always wanted to play in. I don’t know. I’m just excited for these guys and looking forward to the opportunity.”
And so L.A. prepares for an even bigger celebration than was first expected when the game was awarded to SoFi. Meanwhile, Rams fans can savor the sight of those folks in red – who made up probably more than half of the crowd on a day 73,202 tickets were distributed – trudging up the steps and out the exits. The cries of “Beat L.A.” have been silenced for, well, a few months at least.
“It was nice sending some of those red jerseys home,” Stafford said.
He seems to get the relationship between NoCal and SoCal. And I’m guessing his buddy Clayton Kershaw didn’t need to fill him in, either.
