Rams looking to extend their winning streak against the 49ers on Thursday

After defeating the Colts 27-20 in Sunday’s fourth-quarter thriller, the Rams look to their next battle with rivals the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. A shortened week presents a larger challenge.

“You are going to do the same amount of work just in a lot shorter amount of time,” said defensive coordinator Chris Shula about preparing for the Thursday night game. “Yesterday was kind of Monday and Tuesday, and today is kind of Wednesday and Thursday combined, I guess. You’re kind of doing it all,” he continued.

But do the players and coaches appreciate the obstacle?

“It’s a challenge, but it’s the same for both teams; you’re used to it by now. I think ten or twelve years ago,  whenever they started these Thursday night games, it was probably a bigger challenge cause it was throwing us off our rhythm, if you will, but now you are used to that, now you are getting one or two games a year- it’s a unique night- it’s fun, said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.  “I think the players have really grown to like it. I know it’s tough on them, today and tomorrow and stuff like that, but once it gets going on Thursday and they are playing the only game in town, if you will- it’s a fun deal, he continued.

The Thursday night clash featuring the Rams and the 49ers is a classic NFC West rivalry fueled by geographic, cultural, and historical animosity. The games are typically highly competitive with periods of dominance for both teams since their first meeting in 1950.

“I think for me take me back home watching young Fred Warner out there playing with my older brother and being like hey, I know that guy, that's the guy to the locker room and so those are some of the moments that immediately started with the Rams vs 49ers” said wide receiver Puke Nacua of the rivalry. He continued, “some of those moments I've been at the bottom of the pile and Fred Warner is like, Yeah Puka!,  so just yeah just competitive, I think the phrase that Coach McVey says it's ‘competitive stamina’ and I think every time we play them it resets to my first home game for the Rams 2023 of seeing that sea of red enter the stadium and what it was like to play against them and know that we're going all the way until the final whistle blows.”

Both teams will face an uphill battle to win the game. The key matchups of the game center between Nacua and the 49ers' formidable defense, particularly linebacker Fred Warner, and the ongoing battle between Rams linebacker Jared Verse and veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams on the edge.

‘Trent is one of the best linemen ever. I think he’s been in the league longer than I’ve played football, so he kind of understands it,” said Verse when asked about playing against Williams. He continued, “I think the biggest challenge that he has is that with age, you become mor

e savvy. He’s figured out, ‘ok, I might not want to take this block head on, I’m going to manipulate it, so he’ll mess with you a little bit, just enough that it makes you not be able to make the play.”

Another threat to the Rams will be 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.

“We obviously didn’t see McCaffrey last year. He’s playing at a great level, he’s looking like himself, we know they are going to target him, he’s going to be the focal point of the offense, it’s just a huge challenge,” said Shula about McCaffrey

Historically, the 49ers lead the all-time series against the Rams 78-71-3. In their last five meetings, the 49ers hold a 3-2 record against the Rams, winning in September 2023 (30-23), November 2022 (24-20), and November 2021 (31-10) while the Rams gained wins in September 2022 (16-14) and January 2022 (20-17). Fans will see on Thursday evening, under the primetime lights at Sofi Stadium, which team improves their record and wins this rivalry battle.