Can 49ers pull off the trifecta? 5 burning questions for the NFC Championship Game

The San Francisco 49ers (12-7) will look to punch their ticket to the eighth Super Bowl in franchise history Sunday when they face their division rival Los Angeles Rams (14-5) at SoFi Stadium in the NFC Championship Game.

To get to Super Sunday, the 49ers will need to defeat Los Angeles for the third time in a season with the playoff win being on the road. The last time a team was able to pull this off was 2004 when the Rams beat the Seahawks in Seattle in the Wildcard round.

Over the last three seasons and including the postseason, San Francisco’s 20 victories on the road are tied with Kansas City and Tampa Bay for most over that span. Sunday will mark the 49ers fourth game on the road in as many weeks.

Here are the five questions to keep an eye on Sunday:

1. Can the 49ers run the ball?

Since the start of 2019, San Francisco is 23-1 when they attempt at least 30 runs in a game. During their current six- game win streak over Los Angeles, the 49ers have over 30 runs five times.

In addition, Deebo Samuel has been a key to the 49ers run game. San Francisco is 8-0 when Samuel gets six or more carries.

San Francisco needs to stick with the run to work the clock and help the offensive line in pass protection. The physical nature of the run game can wear down a defense, leading to more time in the pocket for the quarterback and opportunities off play action.

2. Can the 49ers defense get to Matthew Stafford?

Without the play of their defensive line, the San Francisco 49ers aren’t in the NFC Championship Game.

Going back to their week 18 victory over Los Angeles to reach the playoffs, San Francisco’s defense has recorded five sacks per game and has hit the opposing quarterbacks 33 times.

Quarterbacks do not like to get hit, and Matthew Stafford is no exception.

In the first half of the week 18 contest, Stafford completed 15 of 16 pass attempts for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

With 49ers defenders all around him throughout the second half, Stafford would complete only 6 of 16 pass attempts for 85 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Getting pressure on Stafford will also help the 49ers secondary and linebackers in coverage.

Cooper Kupp has shredded defenses all season, and it’s been no different against San Francisco. In the first two matchups with the 49ers, Kupp has 18 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown.

While Kupp will garner much of the attention leading up to the game, keep an eye on Tyler Higbee. The Rams tight end has nine catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns against San Francisco.

3. Can the 49ers defense stop the run?

The Rams have not run the ball well this season, averaging only 4 yards per carry. But this could be a key to watch on Sunday.

Los Angeles has attempted 30 and 38 carries in its first two playoff games. This has allowed the Rams to hold the ball for roughly 35 minutes in both games.

Defending the run has been a strength for the 49ers. Since week 10, the San Francisco defense has held their opponent to under 100 yards rushing in all 11 contests, 73 of the 146 yards rushing by Seattle came against the 49ers special teams on a fake punt.

The 49ers run defense has been far and away the best of the four remaining playoff teams. Over the last three weeks, San Francisco has allowed opponents to an average of only 3.1 yards per rush.

4. Will the 49ers be able to protect Jimmy Garoppolo?

While the 49ers running game has been a big part of both victories over Los Angeles this season, Jimmy Garoppolo has as well.

Garoppolo comes into this game having completed just under 75% of his pass attempts against the Rams.

Left tackle Trent Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday after suffering an ankle injury in the second half against Green Bay. If the first team All-Pro is unable to go, the 49ers will likely once again turn to Colton McKivitz.

McKivitz started in place Williams during the 49ers week 18 matchup against Los Angeles. He played OK for the most part, but he was beat in pass protection on a few occasions, one of which resulted in an interception when Garoppolo was hit while trying to throw.

Whoever lines up at left tackle will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Von Miller was acquired in early November, and it took him some time to get healthy. He seems to have done that, recording at lease one sack in each of his last six game and seven total sacks over that span.

Throw in Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, and the 49ers offensive line will have its hands full on Sunday.

5. Can the 49ers hold on to the ball?

Los Angeles and San Francisco come into this game very close in offensive yards per game, defensive yards allowed per game, points scored, and points allowed.

For the 49ers to win this game, they must hold on to the ball or force turnovers. San Francisco has won only once this season when they have given up more turnovers than they’ve forced.

The team that wins on Sunday will be the team that holds on to the ball.

Prediction:

49ers 27 Rams 24

San Francisco has not allowed an offense to score more than 24 points on them since Arizona put up 31 in week 9. If they can keep Los Angeles to this they should come out on top.