5 X-factors that determine if 49ers beat Rams to make Super Bowl

X-Factor No. 1: 49ers pressuring Matthew Stafford is a must

While Los Angeles’ 50 sacks were surely impressive, the Niners weren’t too far behind in that department with 48 of their own. And while the bulk of attention is given to Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa and his 15.5 regular-season sacks and 21 tackles for a loss, San Francisco has been receiving some quality supplementary pass-rush production from other edge rushers like Arden Key and former Rams EDGE, Samson Ebukam, as of late.

The 49ers sacked LA quarterback Matthew Stafford twice back in Week 10, which was certainly enough at the time, but their five sacks on Stafford in Week 18 were essential in the Niners coming from behind and pulling off the overtime victory.

Read More: 5 ways Niners make life miserable for Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Stafford, one of the many quarterbacks whose play diminishes when facing relentless pressure, reflects this with his Pro Football Focus passing numbers in such cases:

• Without pressure: 112.4 passer rating, 73.1 completion percentage
• With pressure: 81.6 passer rating, 50.3 completion percentage

Bosa and Co. might be the single most-important X-factor San Francisco has at its disposal on Sunday, as the team will look to frustrate Stafford and prevent him from securing his first-ever trip to a Super Bowl.

No, the 49ers would much rather be the ones going instead.