As the Los Angeles Rams gear up for the 2025 NFL season, their sights are set on reclaiming dominance in the NFC West—a division they’ve fought tooth and nail to control in recent years. Fresh off a 2024 campaign that saw them sweep their archrival San Francisco 49ers and secure the division title, the Rams might feel a surge of confidence heading into the new year. However, despite the 49ers’ apparent setbacks and roster turnover, Los Angeles would be wise to approach this rivalry with caution. The 49ers, even in a state of flux, remain a dangerous foe, and underestimating them could spell disaster for the Rams’ ambitions in 2025.
A Rivalry That Defies Expectations
The Rams-49ers rivalry is one of the NFL’s most enduring and unpredictable sagas. Since the Rams’ return to Los Angeles in 2016, San Francisco has often had the upper hand, particularly in regular-season matchups. Head coach Kyle Shanahan holds a commanding 10-5 record against his counterpart Sean McVay, including a stretch of eight straight wins from 2019 to 2022 that left Rams fans fuming. McVay, who once worked under Shanahan in Washington, has struggled to consistently crack his mentor’s code, though he’s had his moments—most notably the 2021 NFC Championship victory that propelled Los Angeles to a Super Bowl triumph.
The 2024 season flipped the script, with the Rams pulling off a rare sweep: a 27-24 thriller in Week 3 and a defensive slugfest ending 12-6 in December. Those wins, bolstered by a resilient roster overcoming early injuries, showcased the Rams’ potential when firing on all cylinders. Yet history suggests that counting out the 49ers, even after a down year, is a perilous gamble. San Francisco has a knack for bouncing back, and 2025 could be no different.
The 49ers’ Offseason Shakeup: Weakness or Opportunity?
San Francisco’s 2024 season was a letdown by their lofty standards. After falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, the Niners limped to a losing record, hampered by injuries and uneven play. The offseason only deepened the uncertainty. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was traded, and running back Jordan Mason was shipped to Minnesota. Left tackle Trent Williams, a cornerstone of their line, is aging, while Christian McCaffrey’s durability remains a question mark after another injury-marred year. Add in the looming contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, and the 49ers’ once-vaunted “super team” looks like a shadow of its former self.
For the Rams, this might seem like a golden opportunity. A depleted roster and a quarterback whose 2024 struggles—highlighted by a four-interception meltdown against Baltimore—could suggest San Francisco is ripe for the taking. But the 49ers’ losses don’t tell the full story. Shanahan’s system thrives on adaptability, and his ability to maximize talent, even lesser-known players, keeps San Francisco in contention. The Rams learned this the hard way during Shanahan’s dominant streak, and they’d be foolish to assume 2025 will be an easy ride.
Brock Purdy: The X-Factor
Much of the 49ers’ fortunes hinge on Brock Purdy, the former “Mr. Irrelevant” who turned heads with a stellar start to his career. Before 2024, Purdy was a revelation—18 wins in 22 starts, a passer rating north of 116, and a Super Bowl run that silenced doubters. Last season tested his mettle, with critics pointing to his average arm strength and a supporting cast that couldn’t stay healthy. Yet Purdy’s strengths—his cool-headedness, mobility, and knack for executing Shanahan’s complex offense—make him a wildcard the Rams can’t ignore.
Nothing like beating the Niners 🥵🥶 pic.twitter.com/wM5Hg7hz0b
— RamsNation (@LARamsey46) April 2, 2025
Even with Samuel gone, San Francisco has weapons. Brandon Aiyuk, a top-tier wideout, remains a nightmare for defenses, while rookie Ricky Pearsall, who overcame a frightening shooting incident, has shown promise. Tight end George Kittle, when healthy, is a matchup problem, and Shanahan’s creativity can turn role players like Jauan Jennings into heroes. Purdy doesn’t need a perfect roster to thrive; he needs time and a scheme, both of which Shanahan provides in spades. The Rams’ secondary, while improved, must be on high alert—Purdy torched them for 320 yards in that Week 3 loss last year, a reminder of his ceiling.
Shanahan’s Mastery: The Great Equalizer
If there’s one reason the Rams should stay vigilant, it’s Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers’ head coach is a master tactician, renowned for outsmarting opponents with innovative play design and relentless preparation. His 10-5 edge over McVay isn’t a fluke—it’s a testament to his ability to exploit weaknesses, even with a roster in transition. Shanahan’s offenses are built to confuse, using motion, misdirection, and tempo to keep defenses guessing. Against the Rams, he’s often found ways to neutralize their pass rush and expose their secondary, a trend that persisted even in losing efforts in 2024.
Shanahan’s adaptability shone through last season. Despite injuries and roster churn, the 49ers stayed competitive, nearly stealing that Week 3 game before LA’s late rally. With a full offseason to retool, Shanahan could unveil new wrinkles—perhaps leaning on Pearsall’s speed or maximizing Aiyuk’s yards-after-catch ability. The Rams’ defense, led by young stars like Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, and Byron Young, has grown, but Shanahan’s track record suggests he’ll have an answer.
A Defense Still to Be Feared
While San Francisco’s offense grabs headlines, their defense remains a force. Nick Bosa, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, is a game-wrecker off the edge, and linebacker Fred Warner is the heart of the unit, a sideline-to-sideline menace. The secondary took a hit with Charvarius Ward’s departure in free agency, but Talanoa Hufanga’s return from injury could stabilize the back end. If Trent Williams holds up at tackle, the 49ers’ line can still protect Purdy, giving him the pocket time he needs to pick apart defenses.
The Rams’ offense, powered by Matthew Stafford’s arm and Devante Adams’ veteran savvy, is potent, but San Francisco’s defense has a history of making life difficult for them. In their 12-6 loss last December, the 49ers held Los Angeles to four field goals, stifling drives with timely stops. Any offensive hiccups—drops, turnovers, or stalled runs by Kyren Williams—could be all the opening San Francisco needs to flip the script.
The Stakes in 2025
The NFC West is a gauntlet, with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks poised to challenge for the crown. But the Rams-49ers showdowns often define the division, and 2025 will be no exception. A sweep in 2024 was a statement, but San Francisco’s pride and pedigree suggest they’ll come out swinging. For the Rams, complacency could cede momentum back to their rivals, jeopardizing their playoff seeding—or worse, their postseason hopes altogether.
Los Angeles has the tools to win. Stafford’s experience, Adams’ resurgence, and a defense maturing under coordinator Chris Shula give them an edge. But execution is everything against a team like San Francisco. The 49ers thrive as underdogs, and a chip on their shoulder after 2024 could make them relentless.
The Bottom Line
The Los Angeles Rams have every reason to feel good about 2025, but the San Francisco 49ers are not a team to sleep on. Shanahan’s brilliance, Purdy’s potential, and a defense that bends but rarely breaks ensure they’ll be a threat, roster gaps be damned. This rivalry has taught the Rams hard lessons before—overconfidence leads to defeat. As they prepare for the battles ahead, Los Angeles must respect the 49ers’ resilience. In the NFC West, there’s no room for underestimation, especially against a foe this fierce.
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