Ranking the 25 biggest NFL rivalries of all time

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 15: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a catch during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium on November 15, 2021, in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Rams 31-10. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

15. Top NFL Rivalries – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams

All-Time History: 49ers lead 74-67-3
First Meeting: Oct. 1, 1950 (Rams 35, 49ers 14)
Last Meeting: Nov. 15, 2021 (49ers 31, Rams 10)
Postseason History: 49ers lead 1-0

There’s nothing like a little California flavor as the 49ers and Rams have been bitter rivals since San Francisco joined the NFL from the All-American Football Conference in 1950. The early stages of this rivalry were dominated by the Rams, who were the much better team until 1980, but it has gone heavily in favor of the 49ers since.

The long-time rivals have been members of the NFC West since the division was created in 1970 and dominated the division from that point, with the two combining to win all 10 NFC West titles in the 1970s. San Francisco actually lost 17 of 20 meetings in that decade but turned their fortunes around in the 1980s by going 13-8 against their bitter rivals, including a victory in the lone playoff meeting between them in 1990.

The rivalry took a bit of a hit when the Rams moved to St. Louis in the mid-1990s but the games themselves were still very intense. The Rams gained the upper hand for a bit during the Greatest Show on Turf era but the 49ers regained control after the Rams slumped into a rebuilding cycle.

Things have heated up between the two rivals since the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016, re-igniting the geographic proximity of the rivalry. Both teams have also been highly competitive in the NFC West since then as well, making this rivalry one that could rise in the rankings again.

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