NFC Championship, 1989: San Francisco 30 Los Angeles Rams 3

Game information
The Rams had split their two games with San Francisco during the season, and only a dramatic comeback by San Francisco on a Monday night game had prevented LA from sweeping the series. But in this game, the 49ers crushed the Rams with 442 total yards and held the ball for 39:48. LA finished the game with just 156 yards, with only 26 on the ground, and quarterback Jim Everett, who threw for 4,310 yards and 29 touchdowns during the season, completed only 16 of 36 passes for 141 yards and was intercepted three times. His dual threat receiving tandem of Flipper Anderson and Henry Ellard was nullified as they combined for just three receptions for 32 yards. Everett was reportedly "shellshocked" from the numerous times he was sacked and hit, reaching a low point in the game on a play in which he fell down in the pocket in anticipation of a sack before any San Francisco defenders reached him (infamously known as Everett's "Phantom Sack"). This would haunt him for the rest of his career, and eventually bring him into an infamous televised confrontation with Jim Rome.

Los Angeles took advantage of a 31-yard punt by Barry Helton that gave them a first down at midfield, driving to the 6 in 10 plays and scoring on Mike Lansford's 23-yard field goal. However, this would be their only score, and Helton would punt only once more during the game. They soon got another chance to score when 49ers tight end Brent Jones lost a fumble. Guard Guy McIntyre picked up the ball, but then fumbled it as well, and the ball was recovered by linebacker Larry Kelm. While the Rams had momentum at this point, it shifted to San Francisco's favor for good when safety Ronnie Lott batted down a pass intended for a wide open Anderson. Had Anderson made the catch, he would have scored easily, giving the Rams a 10–0 lead. Instead, the Rams ended up punting, and San Francisco stormed down the field on a 13-play, 89-yard scoring drive. Montana completed 5/6 passes for 67 yards on the possession, the last one a 20-yard touchdown completion to Jones 3:33 into the second quarter.

On LA's ensuing drive, Everett threw a pass that bounced off Ellard and Don Griffin before being intercepted by Tim McKyer, who returned the ball 27 yards to the Rams 27-yard line. Five plays later, Roger Craig increased the 49ers lead to 14–3 with a 1-yard touchdown run. Then after a Rams punt, Montana completed eight of 10 passes for 90 yards on a 14-play, 87-yard drive (which involved overcoming a 15-yard personal foul call against center Jesse Sapolu) to score on an 18-yard touchdown completion to John Taylor with nine seconds left in the half.

An 11-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard Mike Cofer field goal increased the 49ers lead to 24-3 early in the third quarter. Cofer later missed a field goal after Lott picked off an Everett pass, but made a 36-yarder on the first play of the fourth quarter, and a 25-yard kick with 5:40 left in the game to make the final score 30–3.

Montana showed much precision and finished the game completing 26 of 30 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Fullback Tom Rathman rushed for 63 yards and caught six passes for 48 yards. Craig was the top rusher of the game with 94 yards and a touchdown, while also catching three passes for 40 yards.

The Rams did not qualify for the playoffs again in their original tenure in Los Angeles. After moving to St. Louis in 1995, it would take until 1999 for the Rams to return to the playoffs. After making the playoffs several times in St. Louis, most recently in 2004, the Rams again underwent a long playoff drought that extended into their first season back in Los Angeles in 2015.

This was the first postseason meeting between the Rams and 49ers as well as the first NFL playoff matchup between two California-based teams.

Wikipedia

49ers quarterback Joe Montana throws a pass to Brent Jones (not shown) for a touchdown over the Rams’ Sean Smith.

Rams linebacker Kevin Greene is covered with dirt during 1989 NFC championship game.