If you’ve ever walked into SoFi Stadium during a divisional matchup and wondered why half the building is wearing red, you already know the vibe. This isn't just a football game. It’s a culture war between Northern and Southern California. It’s "Levi’s South" versus the "Rams House."
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how long this has been going on. Since 1950, these two have been at each other's throats. They’ve played 154 times. Think about that. Most marriages don't last 154 days, yet these two franchises have been locked in a room together twice a year for over seven decades. The San Francisco 49ers currently hold a slight edge in the all-time series at 79–72–3, but if you ask a Rams fan, they’ll just point to the 2022 NFC Championship ring.
The Weird, Intertwined History of the Rams and 49ers
People forget the Rams actually dominated the early years. Back in the '70s, the Rams went on a 10-game winning streak. They were the kings of the NFC West, winning seven straight division titles. But then the '80s happened. Bill Walsh and Joe Montana turned the rivalry on its head.
The 49ers' 17-game winning streak against the Rams from 1990 to 1998 is still one of the most lopsided stretches in NFL history. It didn't matter if the Rams were in LA or St. Louis; the Niners just had their number. It was brutal.
But things changed when Sean McVay showed up.
Actually, "changed" might be a strong word. It got complicated. McVay and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan are famously close friends. They worked together in Washington under Kyle’s dad, Mike Shanahan. They know each other's systems inside out. Yet, for some reason, Shanahan seems to treat every game against McVay like it’s his personal mission to prove a point. Before that 2022 playoff game, the 49ers had beaten the Rams six straight times in the regular season.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Season
Fast forward to right now. The 2025 season just wrapped up its regular schedule, and the drama didn't disappoint. We saw a split that perfectly encapsulates how thin the margins are between these two.
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In Week 5, the 49ers pulled off a 26-23 overtime thriller. It was a mess of a game, honestly. Matthew Stafford threw for 389 yards, but the Rams made some glaring mistakes—including a goal-line fumble by Kyren Williams—that let a short-handed Niners team hang on. Brock Purdy was out with a toe injury, and Mac Jones had to step in. Christian McCaffrey still did McCaffrey things, racking up 139 total yards.
Then came the rematch in November.
The Rams absolutely dismantled the 49ers 42-26. Stafford looked like a guy who’s definitely heading to Canton, throwing touchdowns all over the place. Puka Nacua played through a rib injury and was basically uncoverable. The win was a huge statement for Los Angeles, proving they could handle the physicality that San Francisco usually uses to bully them.
Recent Matchup Stats (2024-2025)
- Nov 9, 2025: Rams 42, 49ers 26 (LA wins big)
- Oct 2, 2025: 49ers 26, Rams 23 (SF wins in OT)
- Dec 12, 2024: Rams 12, 49ers 6 (A defensive slog)
- Sept 22, 2024: Rams 27, 49ers 24 (The comeback win)
The "Levi's South" Factor
You can't talk about this rivalry without talking about the fans. 49ers fans travel like nobody’s business. When they show up at SoFi, the "Let's Go Niners" chants are often louder than the home crowd's cheers. It’s an assertion of dominance.
Some Rams fans hate it. Others have just accepted that SoCal is full of people who grew up in the Bay Area or moved south but kept their loyalties. But don't mistake that for a lack of passion in LA. The 2022 NFC Championship showed that when the stakes are at their highest, the Rams Faithful can turn the volume up to 11.
The stadium dynamic is part of the strategy now. McVay has even talked about having to use silent counts in his own building because of the noise from 49ers fans. It's a unique disadvantage that most teams don't have to deal with at home.
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The Quarterback Contrast: Stafford vs Purdy
It’s the grizzled veteran versus the "Mr. Irrelevant" who became a star.
Matthew Stafford is 37 now, but he’s playing some of his best football. In 2025, he led the NFL in touchdown passes for a good chunk of the season. He has that "any throw, any time" mentality that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. Kyle Shanahan admitted as much, calling him one of the best of this generation.
On the other side, Brock Purdy has turned into a polarizing figure for all the wrong reasons. Is he a system QB? Is he a superstar? Does it even matter? When he’s healthy, the 49ers' offense operates like a precision machine. His ability to process information and get the ball to playmakers like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle is exactly what that scheme needs.
The injury bug bit Purdy hard in 2025, though. That turf toe injury forced the Niners to rely on Mac Jones for a significant stretch. While Jones was serviceable—even beating the Rams in that October game—the ceiling of the team clearly drops when Purdy isn't under center.
Why the Rivalry is Entering a New Phase
We are seeing a shift. For years, it felt like the 49ers were the "big brother" who just knew how to win the ugly games. But the Rams have found a blueprint to fight back. They aren't trying to out-finesse San Francisco anymore; they're matching the physicality.
The arrival of young stars like Puka Nacua and the emergence of a rejuvenated defense has closed the gap. Meanwhile, the 49ers are dealing with the reality of an aging core and some massive contracts. Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams both dealt with season-ending knee injuries in 2025, which really hampered their pass rush toward the end of the year.
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This isn't a rivalry that relies on "hate" in the traditional sense. It’s more of a deep-seated professional jealousy. Both teams want to be the "Standard of the West." Both coaches want to prove their version of the offense is superior.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or just watching the next Rams vs 49ers game, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Injury Report for the DL/OL: The 49ers' system relies on a dominant front four. If Bosa isn't 100%, Stafford will pick them apart. Conversely, if the Rams' offensive line is shuffled, Shanahan will find the weakness.
- The First Quarter Matters: In their 2025 meetings, the team that scored first won the game. These are two "front-runner" offenses that thrive on playing with a lead.
- Third Down Efficiency: This is where the McVay-Shanahan chess match is won. Look for who's winning the situational battles.
- The "Kicking Game" Variable: Don't sleep on special teams. The Rams have been rotating kickers (Harrison Mevis made his debut in late 2025) because of inconsistency. In a rivalry this close, a missed 40-yarder is usually the difference.
Go check the schedule for the 2026 season once it drops. This rivalry isn't slowing down, and with both teams expected to be in the mix for the NFC West crown again, the next chapter is probably going to be just as chaotic as the last one.
Next Steps for Fans:
Follow the offseason coaching changes closely. Both McVay and Shanahan have coaching trees that get raided every year. Losing a key defensive coordinator can shift the balance of this rivalry more than losing a star wide receiver. Stay updated on the 49ers' defensive line rebuild following their 2025 injury woes, as that will be the primary factor in whether they can contain Stafford in their next meeting.