The ups and downs of football for LA there as Cooper Kupp makes a nice gain with a smart catch on the sidelines but then quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Nick Bosa to lose the yardage they gained.

Some bad news for the Rams though with two of their key starters questionable to return.

Could be closing in on the first score of the game here as Rams receiver Cooper Kupp creeps inside the 49ers' 30-yard line.

LA will fancy at least a field goal from here.

Bit of an escape for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as a pass slips out of his grasp and it is picked off the floor by San Fran's K'Waun Williams who returns it for what he hopes is a touchdown.

No dice. The QB's arm was going forward. Incomplete pass. Stafford celebrates the let-off with a big 14-yard run on third down.

Bit of a slow start to the NFC Championship game - but probably what we needed after the finish to the Chiefs v Bengals.

Who wins this one then? And is the winner automatically a big favourite against the Bengals in the Super Bowl?

Have your say, use the hashtag #bbcnfl

The Rams have done well to get out of that sticky situation, thanks mainly to the legs of Cam Akers, and they end the quarter with a first down on their own 31.

Jimmy G hasn't really found his range yet and another incomplete pass means the 49ers have to punt.

But their special teams unit produces a fantastic play as Trent Sherfield dives into the end zone, catches the ball and throws it back into the field of play before hitting the ground.

The Rams start on their three-yard line.

The 49ers are leaning on running back Eli Mitchell on this drive and an 18-yard run takes them over halfway.

That’s a huge early play.

Stafford gets the Rams going with long completions to Tyler Higbee, Odell Beckham Jr before Cam Akers pounded it up the middle to the 20-yard line.

But then, on third down three yards out, Stafford looks for Kupp and the ball is punched out of his hands.

Jimmy Ward picks it off and runs it back 23 yards.

An early victory for the 49ers defence.

It looked like the Rams were heading for another three and out but Stafford found his star man Cooper Kupp for a 17-yard gain to get his offense rolling. Rams are into 49ers territory.

Is this a sign of things to come? It's the 49ers' turn to go three and out as Jimmy Garoppolo misses a wide-open George Kittle on third down.

Three passes from Matthew Stafford, two completions and an early three and out. The 49ers get the ball.

49ers kick off and the Rams get the ball.

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Psychology is an important factor in all sports so you can bet your bottom dollar the Los Angeles Rams have spent all week pondering the question: Just how do we beat the 49ers?

San Francisco has won the past six meetings with their NFC West divisional rivals, including the vital comeback overtime in Week 17 that punched the 49ers' ticket to the post-season.

Will the Rams rue not taking the chance to eliminate the Niners or can Matthew Stafford and co end San Fran's streak?

Two of the NFL's top defenses will be on show in an intriguing NFC Championship and it could all come down to which of the inconsistent but explosive offenses clicks when it matters the most.

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When these sides met in Week 17 of the regular season, the Rams were assured of a play-off spot while the 49ers had to win to get in - and they did just that with a dramatic comeback triumph in overtime.

San Francisco has continued their brinksmanship since - edging out the Dallas Cowboys 23-17 and then producing a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Green Bay Packers 13-10 at Lambeau Field.

The Rams, meanwhile, easily shook off the Arizona Cardinals 34-11 before surviving an almighty comeback from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who trailed 27-3, only to level at 27-27 before a Matt Gay field goal sent LA to the Championship game.

Image source, Getty Images

Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who took charge of the team in 2019, spoke on the pitch after his side's win over the Chiefs.

"We got a special team and we’ve overcome a lot this year," he said. "Everyone stepped up, we’re not done yet. We knew it would come down to one team making the plays to win the game and our team did that.

"It’s one we’ll never forget."