The Los Angeles Rams (8-6) achieved a significant accomplishment, something the franchise hadn’t done since 2018: sweeping their divisional rival, the San Francisco 49ers. With Thursday’s win, the Rams effectively eliminated the 49ers from playoff contention, adding to the intensity of this already heated rivalry. Rams running back Kyren Williams was asked about the importance of this victory and offered a bold statement regarding their dominance over the 49ers.
Williams expressed just how meaningful the sweep was, recalling a moment during their flight to San Francisco when the pilot encouraged them to “go sweep the Niners.” This sparked a realization for Williams that sweeping the 49ers had not been done since he joined the team. The win felt even more significant, knowing the 49ers are a strong team with a storied history of rivalry with the Rams.
He emphasized that the win showed the Rams’ dominance over the 49ers, declaring, “it means everything.” He added that it proves the Rams are now the “big brothers” in the rivalry, a comment that highlighted the shift in momentum between the two teams in recent seasons. This bold statement comes at a time when both teams are highly competitive, making the rivalry even more intense.
Sports rivalries often include the “big brother, little brother” dynamic, where the more dominant team holds bragging rights. Over the past two years, the Rams have been the more successful team, winning three of the last four meetings against the 49ers. Williams’ statement reflected this trend, as the Rams have clearly had the upper hand recently.
Thursday’s 12-6 victory in the pouring rain was one of the grittiest wins of the NFL season, demonstrating the Rams’ resilience in tough conditions. This victory followed their earlier win over the 49ers in Week 3, a hard-fought 27-24 contest. For the Rams, the sweep of the 49ers was a statement victory that further emphasized their superiority in this rivalry.
As a result of the Rams’ dominance, the 49ers now find themselves with less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. This loss essentially ends their playoff hopes for the first time since 2020, a stunning fall from grace for a team that had been playoff-bound in recent years. The Rams’ ability to eliminate them from contention only adds to the significance of the win.
This rivalry will continue to fuel competition between the two teams, with both sides eager to claim superiority. The Rams will savor their success over the 49ers for the remainder of this season, but they are already focused on maintaining their dominance and seeking to sweep the 49ers again next season. For now, the Rams are enjoying their place at the top of this fierce rivalry.
