Rams must follow Dodgers’ lead and end San Francisco’s run in playoffs

Los Angeles Dodgers fans haven’t had much to cheer about since MLB’s lockout commenced all the way back on Dec. 1.

Up until that point, their offseason was pretty disappointing, as the re-signing of utility star Chris Taylor was overshadowed by the earth-shattering departures of shortstop Corey Seager and right-hander Max Scherzer.

The good news is that MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to meet again on Tuesday after Monday’s bargaining session. While they left without deal, this marks the first time the sides have been in genuine contract since the lockout started, and the fact negotiations didn’t go backwards is a promising sign.

For Dodgers fans, though, that means more waiting.

While billionaires and millionaires fight to get the season started on time, why not hop on the local Los Angeles Rams’ bandwagon? After all, they’ll match up with a familiar foe in the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, adding another chapter to the California-based rivalry.

The Rams need to follow in the Dodgers’ footsteps and eliminate another San Francisco team from the playoffs.

The Rams knocking off the 49ers in the NFL Playoffs would be quite the way to follow up the Dodgers’ elimination of the Giants back in October.

With the series deadlocked at 2-2, the Dodgers defeated their longtime rivals in a game that won’t soon be forgotten in the Bay Area.

Both teams were scoreless headed into the sixth before Seager plated Mookie Betts with an RBI double and Darin Ruf, of all people, connected on a 452-foot solo blast off Julio Urias to level things up again in the bottom half.

Of course, it was Cody Bellinger who played hero for the Dodgers with a single off Camilo Doval in the top of the ninth to drive in Justin Turner before Scherzer was brought in out of the bullpen to shut the door and give LA the series win after a controversial check-swing from Wilmer Flores.

Will history repeat itself Sunday at So-Fi Stadium in the NFL Playoffs? The good news is the Rams are home and will be favored. At the same time, though, the 49ers are 2-0 as underdogs this postseason and are fresh off sending Aaron Rodgers and the No. 1 seed Green Bay Packers packing in snowy conditions at Lambeau Field.

The Rams are also 0-2 against the 49ers this season, with their most recent loss coming just two weeks ago in Week 18.

Then again, the Giants got the better of the Dodgers during the regular season, so maybe it’s quietly a good thing the Rams struggled vs San Francisco? Nobody knows, and that’s what makes this game so intriguing.

Want an added bonus? Clayton Kershaw’s longtime friend, Matthew Stafford, is the Rams’ quarterback and he could flip the script in regard to his legacy with a win and a trip to the Super Bowl.

What more needs to be said? Let’s. Go. Rams.

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