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NFC West: How the 49ers & Rams’ renewed rivalry will be the story to watch in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams stands under center during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams stands under center during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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Long dormant over the past decade, the storied NFC West rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will easily be a top storyline to watch in 2018.

For the majority of the decade, the chief NFC West rivalry existed solely between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

There’s a bit left in that tank, especially with cornerback Richard Sherman joining his former adversary as a free agent this offseason. But for the most part, the Seattle-San Francisco rivalry is pretty dormant.

Just like the one between the Niners and Los Angeles Rams used to be for the better part of this century.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

This particular rivalry took a big hit in 1995, when the Rams first moved from L.A. to St. Louis. Anyone from California understands the geographical rivalry between north and south. There’s the MLB equivalent of the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. Same with the NBA’s version of the Sacramento Kings and L.A. Lakers or the Golden State Warriors and L.A. Clippers.

You get the idea. And with the Rams back in Southern California, it’s back on. And for all the right reasons.

But there’s more, especially now.

2016, the first year back for the Rams, wasn’t particularly impressive. L.A. finished 4-12 that year, while the 49ers wrapped up a forgettable 2-14 campaign. Teams have to be good for rivalries to exist.

Both should be heading into 2018.

The Rams, of course, finished 2017 with a surprising 11-5 record and a deep trip in the playoffs all under a young first-year head coach in Sean McVay. He helped turn around the careers of quarterback Jared Goff — who grew up a 49ers fan — as well as making running back Todd Gurley an MVP candidate.

Yet the Niners went from a 0-9 franchise last year to winning their final five games of 2017. With both the Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals crumbling in the NFC West, the Rams and 49ers now become the teams to watch within the division.

An Offseason Arms Race

With Goff playing on his rookie contract through 2019, L.A. is in win-now mode. Goff playing on the cheap this season and next means the Rams could afford to go out and lure in big-name talent.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after sacking quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Coliseum on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 20: Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after sacking quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Coliseum on November 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

And they did, bringing aboard cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib via offseason trades, while also inking three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to play alongside fellow All-Pro DT Aaron Donald.

Stacked. Young too.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are playing more of the long game. They weren’t quite as active in free agency, instead signing more blue-chip players outside of Sherman. Still, a general consensus would lead one to believe San Francisco is the only team within the NFC West to legitimately contend with L.A. for a division title.

How This NFC West Rivalry Will Be the Story to Watch in 2018

Sure, this West Coast rivalry might not intrigue as many fans back east. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hold bragging rights over everyone else in the NFC East and could care little about their fellow conference mates out west.

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Aside from the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps, no one else within the NFC East strikes as much intimidation, though. The AFC East isn’t particularly interesting or competitive outside the New England Patriots. And both the AFC North and AFC West have only one, perhaps two teams worth considering for a playoff berth this season.

Some of the NFC South and NFC North rivalries will be interesting to watch. But we’ve seen those play out already. We get it. The New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers are all playoff contenders and don’t particularly like each other. But that’s a 2017 story too.

Same with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, if he can stay healthy, going up against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense.

Although some Kirk Cousins sprinkled into the mix makes that provocative, if not overly attention-grabbing.

Sorry, if you’re craving a fresh new rivalry and storyline to watch in 2018, it’s the 49ers and Rams.

Next: NFC West power rankings heading into the 2018 offseason

And thank goodness for it being so.