01-31-2022, 10:49 AM
(01-31-2022, 06:52 AM)Science Friction Wrote: Someone explain why we should have rather faced SF. SF outscored LA 75-54 in their three meeting this season, with the Niners winning two of those, including a 21 pt. blowout in SF. The SF fan base is much more passionate than LA, so I don't expect much of a home field advantage at SOFI. For some reason, SF seems to get some quirky breaks when they play us and find a way to come out on top.
Also, the NFL.com power rankings ranked the Chiefs #1 AND SF #2 out of the four teams left going in to Championship Sunday. The Rams were #3. We were #4. Previous power rankings going into divisional round had Chiefs #3 , Titans #5, Bengals #6 , Niners #7 , and Rams #8 . The Rams defense with Donald, Miller , etal gave up more points on the season than any other team in their division. In addition to losing two of three to the Niners, the Rams also lost at home by 17 to Arizona, by 12 at home to Tennessee, won by just 9 at home over hapless Detroit, and closed the season by beating the atrocious Ravens by 1 point , in a game they probably should have lost.
In the playoffs SF went into Dallas and beat Dak , into Lambeau and beat Aaron, and already beat Joey B. in the Jungle in the regular season. Are you really sure that you'd rather have had the Niners over the Lambs. In my mind, the Bengals are the better football team. The AFC's top teams are stronger than the NFC's best. Kansas City and Tennessee, I believe, are better than the Rams. And since we have proven that we are better than KC or Tennessee, doesn't it make sense that we are better than the Rams???
Tell me why I am wrong.
I'll explain it. And just to preface, because some people evidently can't read, none of this means I don't think we can beat LA. We can, and will. I preferred SF simply because of matchups. If we played SF, we would have to deal with Bosa off the edge. With a bad RT we could put Sample out there to help and Bosa won't be that disruptive, just have to double him. Playing LA, we have to deal with Aaron Donald coming in between Hopkins and Adeniji. Anyone think we can win that battle? Then we have Vonn Miller coming off the edge. Anyone confident Prince can handle him? Kupp is the #1 receiver in the league right now. And we have played SF, so as Joe says, he always plays better the 2nd time he faces a team. So yes, I would prefer SF simply because we match up better. That said, it's a moot point, we got LA. Pollack has his work cut out over the next two weeks.
