WATCH: Jimmy Garappolo throws brutal pick to end 49ers season, sends Rams to Super Bowl
When a trip to the Super Bowl is on the line, your biggest players need to step up in the biggest moments. With the Los Angeles Rams defense on the field, defensive tackle Aaron Donald was called upon to win an NFC Championship.
With under two minutes to go, the San Francisco 49ers needed quarterback Jimmy Garappolo to go down the field. At the very least, a field goal was needed to tie the game and head to overtime. Donald had other ideas, getting good pressure on the quarterback from the inside.
With Garappolo under pressure, he tried to throw check down before the ball ended up in the hands of a Rams player. The interception sealed the game, sending Los Angeles to the Super Bowl, where they will play at their home stadium.
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Garappolo had been playing well before the brutal mistake on the final drive. He had thrown for 232 yards and two touchdowns, although, he completed just over 50% of his throws. In what might be the end of an era for head coach Kyle Shanahan, Grarppolo’s interception may be the lasting image.
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford was a big reason for the win on Sunday as well. Exactly one year after the franchise traded for him from the Detroit Lions, he is guiding them to the Super Bowl. He and wide receiver Cooper Kupp have been the best duo in the NFL this season and will get to go up against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The smaller storyline within the win is Los Angeles breaking their losing streak to NFC West rival, San Francisco. 2016 was the last time the Rams got one over the 49ers, with Sean McVay struggling to get over the hump. However, none of those matter anymore, with the NFC Championship being far and away the most important win.