49ers vs. Rams: Why history repeats itself in NFC Championship game

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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas (20) with defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93), defensive tackle Kentavius Street (95) and cornerback Darqueze Dennard (43) Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason No. 1: The historical odds are in the 49ers’ favor

The 49ers beat the Rams both times this season and are now facing them for the third time. It is not the most common occurrence that teams play for three times in a season, particularly in a case where one team won both matchups.

However, when that does happen, there is a clear trend:

Hear this a lot but it's not really supported by data: Since the 1970 merger, there have been 22 previous instances of a team going 2-0 in the regular season and then meeting a 3rd time in the playoffs: The team that won the first two games is 14-8 in the playoff meeting. https://t.co/Q32pURoEA6
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 24, 2022

So, since 1970, the team that has won the two regular-season games won the playoff matchup 63 percent of the time.

This might not feel accurate, but that is likely because NFL fans have the recent memory of quarterback Tom Brady‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers beating the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs after losing twice in the regular season on their way to a Super Bowl victory last season.

But the GOAT won’t be playing this Sunday, and there is a clear trend. Based not only on their recent history against the Rams but against the recent history of teams in this playoff scenario, the Niners should have confidence that history is on their side.