San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
A historic California rivalry that has defined the NFC West for decades.
The 49ers–Rams rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
Quick Facts
- First meeting
- 1950 (Regular Season)
- Key playoff series
- 1989 NFC Divisional Playoff Game
Lore & Background
The rivalry began in 1950 and became one of the most intense in the NFL in the 1970s as the two California based teams regularly competed for the NFC West Division title. During the mid-2010s and 2020s, the rivalry returned to the same intensity following the Rams’ return to Los Angeles and subsequent playoff success. Geography plays a strong role in animosity between the two teams as Northern California (where the 49ers are based) and Southern California (where the Rams are based) have long been competitors in the economic, cultural, and political arenas.
Similarly to the Dodgers–Giants rivalry equivalent in baseball, the Kings–Sharks rivalry equivalent in hockey, the Lakers–Warriors rivalry equivalent in basketball, and the California Clásico equivalent in soccer, animosity between the two has led to acts of violence or public disdain between fans, players, or coaches alike. During the Rams' 20-season tenure in St. Louis, the rivalry did not have the geographical lore it once had, but the games were still intense regardless of the standings.
The rivalry again became geographic with the Rams’ return to Los Angeles in 2016. Sports Illustrated considers their rivalry the 8th best of all time in the NFL. The 49ers and Rams are also the only two teams who have been a part of the NFC West since it was formed in 1970. The series was relatively even through the first three decades, but the Rams led by as many as 22 games in 1980 before the 49ers' strong play in the 1980s and 1990s, including a 17–game winning streak from 1990 to 1998, allowed them to take the lead.
The 49ers lead the overall series, 79–72–3. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the 49ers winning the 1989 NFC Divisional Playoff Game.
Reader's Guide
The first meeting between the teams took place on October 1, 1950, in San Francisco. The Rams won 35–14. The 49ers got their first win against the Rams on October 28, 1951, winning 44–17. In the 1960s, the Rams held a 10-9-1 edge.
The rivalry was at its pinnacle during the 1970s; from 1970 to 1979 one of the two teams won the division each season. The 49ers won the first three post-merger division crowns despite going 1–5 vs. the Rams. The Rams answered winning seven straight division crowns from 1973 to 1979. On January 14, 1990, the 49ers defeated the Rams 30–3 in the NFC Championship Game.
On January 30, 2022, the Rams defeated the 49ers 20–17 in the NFC Championship Game en route to a victory in Super Bowl LVI. The 49ers dominated the 1990s, winning 17 straight games against the Rams. The Rams regained the upper hand with 6 consecutive regular-season victories from 1999 to 2001. In the early 2000s, the Rams went 8–2 against the 49ers from 2000 to 2004.
The 49ers went 8–2 against St. Louis from 2005 to 2009. In 2011, the 49ers took the all-time series lead for the first time in 13 years.
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