49ers–Rams rivalry
49ers and Rams face off during the 2007 season. | |
San Francisco 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
| |
| Location | San Francisco, Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| First meeting | October 1, 1950 Rams 35, 49ers 14 |
| Latest meeting | December 12, 2024 Rams 12, 49ers 6 |
| Next meeting | October 2, 2025 |
| Stadiums | 49ers: Levi's Stadium Rams: SoFi Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 152 |
| All-time series | 49ers: 78–71–3 |
| Regular season series | 49ers: 77–70–3 |
| Postseason results | Tie: 1–1 |
| Largest victory | 49ers: 48–0 (1987) Rams: 56–7 (1958) |
| Most points scored | 49ers: 48 (1987) Rams: 56 (1958) |
| Longest win streak | 49ers: 17 (1990–1998) Rams: 10 (1970–1975) |
| Current win streak | Rams: 3 (2023–present) |
| Post–season history | |
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The 49ers–Rams rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
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 Rams, who dominated much of the first 30 years of the rivalry, led the series by as many as 22 games in 1980, but the 49ers' strong play in the 1980s and 1990s, including a 17–game winning streak from 1990–1998 allowed them to take the lead.
The 49ers lead the overall series, 78–71–3. The two teams have met twice in the playoffs, winning one each.