49ERS AT RAMS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY’S NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Here’s how the 49ers and Rams match up:

WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL: Just give it to Deebo Samuel (19) in some manner. A true flex player, for all you fantasy gurus, the All-Pro receiver turned running back on occasion has become as dynamic as any NFL player. Samuel will test everyone on LA’s defense, from fellow All-Pro Jalen Ramsey (5) at cornerback, yet another All-Pro — unanimous, no less — DT Aaron Donald (99) — or some of the other studs on that unit. Samuel could be the wild card the Rams can’t match. He also can’t be a one-man gang. QB Jimmy Garoppolo (10) needs to avoid forcing passes; he tends to be good, make that bad, for one turnover a game. He also must feed the ball often to RB Elijah Mitchell (25), a real find, and keep versatile FB Kyle Juszczyk involved. Niners TE George Kittle (85) hasn’t been his usual brilliant self, but LA is weak at safety and the LBs don’t do much in coverage. But the Rams have another potential offense wrecker in LB Leonard Floyd (54), plus the revitalized Von Miller (40). How well the 49ers hold up on the offensive line might be critical. All-Pro Trent Williams (71), dealing with ankle issues, is the best left tackle in the game, though the keys could be center Alex Mack (50) and guards Laken Tomlinson (75) and Daniel Brunskill (60), who get the pleasure of dealing with Donald all day. But the Niners have minimized him this season: Donald has only three pressures and zero sacks in the two games during the regular season.

WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL: As Samuel should be the focal point for San Francisco, so too must WR Cooper Kupp (10) for LA. Kupp, another unanimous AllPro, pulled off the hat trick of leading the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdown catches; made the biggest play last week after Tampa Bay stormed back to nearly steal the game; and has a unique connection with QB Matthew Stafford (9). Kupp is far from the only playmaker 49ers DBs must account for. Odell Beckham Jr. (3), Van Jefferson (12) and TE Tyler Higbee (89) can’t be given minimal attention by safeties Jaquiski Tartt (3) and Jimmie Ward (1), CBs K’Waun Williams (24) and, if healthy, Ambry Thomas (20). LA has a two-pronged running game with Sony Michel (25) and Cam Akers (23). They must avoid turnovers; the Rams fumbled four times at Tampa. And they must avoid the likes of DEs Nick Bosa (97) and Samson Ebukam (56), DT Arik Armstead (91), plus standout linebacker Fred Warner (54), who has been battling a balky ankle. The Rams could have a difficult time protecting the revitalized Stafford if LT Andrew Whitworth (77) remains sidelined by knee issues. His sub, Joseph Noteboom (70) is a level down. Center Brian Allen (55) could have his hands full with defenders in the middle.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Robbie Gould (9) has been spectacular in his, uh, Goulden years. The 40-year-old placekicker made two field goals, including a 45-yarder in the snow as time expired to beat Green Bay, making him 20 for 20 in his career on field-goal attempts in the playoffs. His range doesn’t match that of the Rams’ Matt Gay (8), but Gould is extremely reliable. Gay is no slouch, though, and the way three of last weekend’s four games came down to last-season field goals, his role could be vital. P Johnny Hekker (6) has been one of the league’s best punters for a decade, also is a threat on fake punts. His counterpart, Mitch Wishnowsky (18), has had a mediocre season. Neither team is particularly dangerous on kick returns.

INTANGIBLES: San Francisco’s mastery of its longtime rival has to raise the confidence level of the 49ers, while ticking off the Rams. Not to be overlooked is how the 49ers rallied to beat the Rams in the season finale, which SF needed to qualify for the playoffs. That said, the Rams are playing at home — SoFi Stadium will stage the Super Bowl, and the fiveplus decade run of teams not hosting the big game ended in Tampa last year. Los Angeles added stars in Stafford, Miller and Beckham with one thing in mind: returning to the Super Bowl the Rams lost three years back. And the Niners, with many of the same players still on hand, lost their chance for the NFL title two years ago to Kansas City. So both teams have a nasty taste to remove.