Rams lay ‘boom’ on 49ers with postgame post following rainy win

The Rams and 49ers got together for a social-media war on Thursday night. Then, a football game broke out. And after a 12-6 win, the Rams’ final volley was a shot right through the heart.

In four of the five previous seasons, San Francisco swept its NFC West rival. Last season, the teams split their two meetings. But on Thursday night, Los Angeles got its first sweep of the 49ers since 2018 – and the organization marked the occasion with an exclamation point.

From 2019-22 as the 49ers were sweeping the Rams and dominating the NFC, San Francisco embraced a unique pregame entrance – blasting tunes from a 1980s-style boombox. At first, the ghetto blaster was slung over the shoulder of Kyle Shanahan’s chief assistant, Nick Kray. When Kray left with DeMeco Ryans to join the Texans, other members of the team took the baton and continued a pregame ritual that spread throughout sports.

The Rams, apparently, didn’t care for the ritual. Now, though, it’s Bay Area rain off their backs. Thanks to four Joshua Karty field goals, a pivotal Darious Williams interception and Matthew Stafford’s 51-yard pass to Puka Nacua, Los Angeles (8-6) is only a half-game out of first in the NFC West. After a 1-4 start this season, when some suggested the Rams consider trading Stafford, they’ve won seven of their last nine.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Stafford after improving to 11-1 as the Rams’ quarterback in December games. “This is what you work so hard for. I just think back to all the OTAs, all the August training-camp days, all the early season injuries and struggles and things you have to overcome to try to give yourself a chance to play meaningful football in this month.”

Every Rams game is meaningful now. Los Angeles gets bonus rest before traveling to meet the Jets (3-10) next week. They close the regular season with consecutive NFC West home games against Arizona and first-place Seattle. Meaningful is an understatement.

San Francisco, meanwhile, fell to 5-8. With playoff hopes all but evaporated, the 49ers are facing a major decision on whether to extend quarterback Brock Purdy.

For more information on the Rams and 49ers, visit the L.A. Rams and San Francisco team pages on ProFootballPost.com.