Here are 7 players to watch when the San Francisco 49ers take on the Rams on Sunday

The San Francisco 49ers will travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams in the NFC Championship on Sunday. Here are seven players to watch for in the team’s biggest game of the season.

Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback

It all starts at quarterback for the 49ers and they’re led by veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. He has been successful against the Rams in his career, posting a 6-0 record with 1,549 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions starts against the Rams. The 49ers have won in the playoffs despite Garoppolo not putting up big numbers. Garoppolo is 4-1 in his postseason starts and is averaging only 121.7 yards per game with a 70.3 quarterback rating and a 2-5 touchdown-to-interception rate. The 49ers can win Sunday if Garoppolo plays a clean game.

Elijah Mitchell, running back

Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell has been the team’s starting running back since Raheem Mostert got hurt on one of the first plays of the season opener against the Detroit Lions. The sixth-round pick from Louisiana rushed for 963 yards with five touchdowns despite only playing in 11 of the team’s 17 regular-season games. Mitchell is the postseason’s leading rusher through two weeks with 149 yards.

Deebo Samuel, wide receiver

Samuel is listed as a wide receiver but he has been much more than that. He is the 49ers’ team MVP and has been a large reason why the team is still playing. Samuel has been used by coach Kyle Shanahan as a receiver and a running back. In two games against the Rams this season, Samuel has two rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown and he has even thrown a touchdown. Samuel limped off the field on one of the 49ers’ final plays from scrimmage against the Packers, but Shanahan said earlier this week it was nothing serious and he expects him to play.

Trent Williams, left tackle

Williams’ status for Sunday’s game is up in the air after he suffered an ankle injury during the game against the Packers last weekend. He is one of the team’s most valuable players and was named to the All-Pro team this season. Shanahan said Monday, “We will have to manage him and see how this week goes.” It’s worth noting Williams didn’t play in Week 18 versus the Rams because of an elbow injury.

Nick Bosa, defensive line

Bosa has played at an elite level this season. Last season, he tore his ACL in Week 2 and missed the remainder of the season. Although he wasn’t named to the All-Pro team like Samuel and Williams, he has put up impressive numbers, posting 15.5 sacks. Bosa in five career playoff games has recorded 6.5 sacks. His ability to draw attention and double teams gives other members of the 49ers defensive line a chance to shine.

Arik Armstead, defensive line

Armstead is the pride of the 916. He played his high school ball at Pleasant Grove and has been on the 49ers roster since he was drafted in 2015. He signed a large contract extension after the 2019 season ended, which helped keep the Elk Grove native in red and gold. Armstead has stepped up his play big time during the last few weeks. During the 49ers’ last three games, which were all win-or-go-home contests, he has 5.5 sacks.

Fred Warner, linebacker

Warner is coming off one of the best games of his career. Warner had a Pro Football Focus grade of 94.2 for his play against the Packers last week, the highest mark of his career. He forced a key fumble in the first quarter of the Packers game that helped shift momentum to the 49ers’ side. Warner’s play during the past few weeks are why the 49ers gave him a large contract extension during the offseason.

This story was originally published January 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM.