Recap
AI summary, sourced from 2 period articles (ESPN AP)
The Los Angeles Rams beat the 49ers 20-17 at SoFi Stadium in the NFC Championship game Sunday afternoon. Matthew Stafford threw a fourth-quarter touchdown to Cooper Kupp that gave the Rams the lead with 1:46 remaining. Jimmy Garoppolo's response drive ended on an interception by Travin Howard with 1:09 left. Garoppolo went 16-of-30 for 232 yards with one touchdown and the late interception. Deebo Samuel ran for 26 and caught three for 72. Elijah Mitchell ran for 21. Stafford threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper Kupp caught 11 for 142 and two touchdowns.[1][2][3][4]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 2 period articles (ESPN AP)
The Los Angeles Rams ended the 49ers' season Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. They beat the 49ers 20-17 in the NFC Championship game. Matthew Stafford threw a fourth-quarter touchdown to Cooper Kupp. Jimmy Garoppolo's response drive ended on an interception.
The 49ers led 17-7 in the third quarter. The Rams scored 13 unanswered. Cooper Kupp caught a fourth-quarter touchdown to give the Rams the lead with 1:46 remaining. Garoppolo's response drive started at the 12. He completed two passes to get into Rams territory. On second-and-goal-equivalent at the LA 49, he threw a deep ball to Brandon Aiyuk that Travin Howard intercepted with 1:09 left.
Garoppolo finished 16-of-30 for 232 with a touchdown to Deebo Samuel and the late interception. Deebo Samuel ran for 26 and caught three for 72. Elijah Mitchell ran for 21. George Kittle caught four for 30. The kind of NFC Championship game where the offense produced 17 points and could not find the closing-minutes throw.
Stafford threw for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper Kupp caught 11 for 142 with two touchdowns including the game-winner. Odell Beckham Jr. caught nine for 113. The kind of NFC Championship loss where the year-five project's competitive identity, in the conference's tightest road game, fell to a closing-minutes interception that defined the offseason narrative. 12-8. The season ends.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 2 period articles (ESPN AP)
Rams 20, 49ers 17. Margin: -3. NFC Championship.
- Cooper Kupp: 11 catches for 142, 2 TDs (including game-winner with 1:46 left).
- Matthew Stafford: 31-of-45 for 337, 2 TDs.
- Odell Beckham Jr.: 9 catches for 113.
- Cam Akers: 24 carries for 48.
- Jimmy Garoppolo: 16-of-30 for 232, 1 TD, 1 INT.
- Deebo Samuel: 4 carries for 26 + 3 catches for 72.
- Elijah Mitchell: 12 carries for 21.
- George Kittle: 4 catches for 30.
- Brandon Aiyuk: 2 catches for 27.
- 49ers led 17-7 entering 4th quarter; Rams scored 13 unanswered.
- Garoppolo final-drive INT to Travin Howard with 1:09 left.
- 49ers 12-8; season ends.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 2 period articles (ESPN AP)
A 20-17 NFC Championship road loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The 49ers fall to 12-8 and the year-five Shanahan project's 2021 ends in the conference championship.
How it unfolded
The Rams kicked an opening field goal. Robbie Gould answered with one of his own. Deebo Samuel caught a 44-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 10-3 lead. Stafford threw a touchdown to Cooper Kupp to tie. Gould kicked another field goal. Jauan Jennings caught a touchdown to put the 49ers up 17-7 entering the fourth quarter. The Rams kicked a field goal to make it 17-10. They added another to make it 17-13 with 8:50 left. Stafford led a touchdown drive ending in a Cooper Kupp catch with 1:46 remaining to put the Rams up 20-17. Garoppolo took over at the 12.
The turning point
Garoppolo's late interception. With the year-five project on the verge of a fourth straight playoff road win and Garoppolo needing one more first down to extend the drive into the Rams' red zone, the underthrown deep ball to Aiyuk became Travin Howard's interception and the Rams' Super Bowl bid.
By the numbers
Garoppolo 16-of-30 for 232 with a TD and the late INT. Deebo Samuel 4 carries for 26 plus 3 catches for 72 with a TD. Mitchell 12 for 21. Kittle 4 catches for 30. Jauan Jennings's touchdown catch. Stafford 31-of-45 for 337 with two TDs. Cooper Kupp 11 catches for 142 with two TDs. Odell Beckham Jr. 9 catches for 113. Aaron Donald and Von Miller pressured but did not sack Garoppolo.
Personnel watch
Cooper Kupp's championship-game performance. Garoppolo's late interception defined the closing minutes. Deebo Samuel's playoff scoring streak (a touchdown in all three playoff games). The kind of NFC Championship game where the year-five project's competitive identity, in the regular-season-sweep-rematch, fell to the closing-minutes interception.
What it means
12-8. Season ends. The Rams advance to host Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals at SoFi Stadium two weeks from now. The Cooper Kupp triple-crown season culminates in the league title. The year-five Shanahan project's road through the bracket (Dallas, Lambeau, almost the SoFi championship) confirms the team's January identity. The 2022 season's biggest question: who plays quarterback. Trey Lance, the 2021 first-overall pick, has played in Garoppolo's shadow all year. The offseason will decide whether 2022 is Garoppolo's farewell or Lance's takeover.
