49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke about how thankful he is to have a team that defends Jimmy Garoppolo’s play. He spoke about how great the QB has been this season.
Third time's the (biggest) charm? Lucky No. 7? Whatever it might be, the 49ers are looking to keep their season, and their win streak against the Los Angeles Rams, alive Sunday at SoFi Stadium in the NFC Championship Game.
The reward just happens to be their second trip to the Super Bowl in the last three seasons.
It won't be easy, though, no matter how much Kyle Shanahan has owned Sean McVay and San Francisco's NFC West rivals since the 2019 season. The Rams went all-in this season with several big-name moves and it appears to be paying off. The talent certainly isn't lacking in LA.
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For the 49ers to pull off yet another upset to reach Super Bowl LVI, they'll need to accomplish these three keys.
Keeping Trent Williams On The Field
The 49ers' All-Pro left tackle didn't practice Thursday as he tries to heal from a right ankle sprain. Both he and Kyle Shanahan believe Williams will play Sunday in the NFC championship. His availability couldn't be more important.
Williams missed the 49ers' classic comeback against the Rams in Week 18, a game he felt he let his teammates down. There's no doubt he'll do anything he can to play this time in Southern California. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked three times when the 49ers faced the Rams without Williams. He wasn't sacked once the next week with Williams back against the Dallas Cowboys.
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By the numbers and by simply watching the game, Williams might have been the most dominant player in the NFL this season. And now, Rams edge rusher Von Miller again is looking like his dominant self. He didn't have a sack the first time these two teams met but had one sack, five tackles and two QB hits in the regular-season finale.
Miller now has recorded a sack in six straight games and will be a big factor in who comes out victorious. As it was shown in Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers' seasons coming to an end, the team with the healthier offensive line at this point in the season often comes out on top. Whether it's Williams or the rest of the O-line, the 49ers have to cross their fingers for great health.
Williams just happens to be the most important.
Pass Rush Remains A Must
The 49ers could not beat the Green Bay Packers without pressuring Aaron Rodgers. Mission accomplished.
Rodgers was sacked five times by the 49ers in the NFC divisional round. He was sacked just once in Week 3 when his Packers beat the 49ers. On Sunday, the 49ers will need another dominant showing from the pash rush.
The 49ers now have sacked Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott and Aaron Rodgers five times each in a game. They're looking to again get after Stafford all game long. Stafford has been sacked five times in a game twice this season -- once in that loss to the 49ers and once earlier in the season in a loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Stafford was sacked just 30 times in the regular season. The 49ers know how important getting after the QB is to slow down the Rams. Nick Bosa already has 6.5 sacks through his first five playoff games. The franchise record is 7.5, and this wouldn't be a bad time for Bosa to break it.
Just Enough Jimmy
The 49ers are 7-0 this season when Garoppolo doesn't throw an interception. They also are 9-2 overall in games he doesn't throw a touchdown since acquiring him from the New England Patriots.
Garoppolo has thrown just two touchdowns while being intercepted five times in five playoff games. He also is 4-1 in those games, with the only loss being in the Super Bowl.
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At this point, we can admit that Garoppolo doesn't make much sense. He's terrifying at times, and also he's near the top of the list when it comes to QBs that you'd want at the end of a game. But in between, Garoppolo usually unloads at least one head-scratching throw. That could then be followed by a drive to set up a game-winning field goal.
Jimmy has to be Jimmy. Just not too much Jimmy.
If Garoppolo is to make an ugly mistake, don't let it be when it matters most. He doesn't have to be the reason they win. He just can't be the main reason for a loss.
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