It was a busy Sunday, even for can’t-sit-still Sean McVay.
In the afternoon, he coached the Rams into the playoffs with a 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions. McVay then immediately left SoFi Stadium for the impending arrival of his and his wife’s second child. And he no doubt began game-planning on some level for a Thursday night showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
“It’s good stress,” McVay quipped before departing the stadium.
Apparently, McVay was attempting to demonstrate to his players a spin on the mantra he has repeated to them since training camp.
“We’re built for it,” tight end Colby Parkinson said.
“We’re built the right way,” defensive lineman Kobie Turner said.
This much is clear: The team that general manager Les Snead and McVay constructed the last few years is showing why it is regarded as a Super Bowl contender.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford started slow and then outdueled Jared Goff, Puka Nacua continued his torrid receiving pace and the Rams’ defense shut down the Lions in the second half as the Rams improved to 11-3 and clinched a playoff spot.
It wasn’t all good news: Receiver Davante Adams left the game because of a left hamstring injury that puts his availability for Thursday night’s game — and possibly beyond — in doubt.
“I certainly wouldn’t rule him out quite yet,” McVay said of the game against the Seahawks. “but it didn’t look good.”
Rams wide receiver Davante Adams falls to the ground after sustaining a left hamstring injury against the Lions on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The Rams, however, looked every bit the part of the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a position they held onto with a hard-fought victory that ensured their seventh playoff appearance in nine seasons under McVay.
Not that the Rams were celebrating.
“Didn’t talk about it for one second this week,” Stafford said of the chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Veteran snapper Jake McQuaide, who was part of the Rams’ run to the Super Bowl in 2018, said that under McVay, there is “an expectation” that the Rams will make the playoffs every season. So clinching a spot is regarded as just another step toward the greater goal of winning the Super Bowl.
“As crazy as that is to say in the NFL — it’s really hard to make the playoffs — but I don’t think it really changes anything,” McQuaide said.
Other than making up for Adams’ possible absence, the Rams are not in need of major tweaks as they prepare to meet the Seahawks (11-3), who defeated Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Seattle.
The Rams currently hold the tiebreaker over the Seahawks because of their Nov. 16 victory over them at SoFi Stadium.
Can they capture home field throughout the playoffs for the first time?
They advanced to the Super Bowl in the 2018 and the 2021 seasons without the benefit of playing every playoff game at home.
The Rams finish the regular season with games against the Seahawks, a road trip to Atlanta and a home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Sunday’s victory prepared them well, said cornerback Darious Williams, a starter for the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl championship team.
“The good thing is we just damn near had a playoff game,” he said of the playing the Lions, adding, “this was honestly a good prep for us because I’ve been telling guys the whole time, ‘the energy of this game is going to be similar to a playoff game.’”
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua celebrates during the second half Sunday against the Lions.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The Rams were behind 24-14 late in the second quarter, but with the defense forcing three straight three and outs to start the second half, they outscored the Lions, 20-0 en route to a 34-24 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Stafford overcame an early interception and kept alive his drive for the NFL most valuable player award by completing 24 of 38 for 368 yards and two touchdowns — both to Parkinson.
Nacua gave the Rams a scare when he required assistance off the field in the fourth quarter because of cramps — “I’m sure there were some extra long exhale[s] on the sideline,” he said — but he returned and finished with nine catches for 181 yards, including two on fourth-down plays that led to the Rams’ first touchdown.
Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns and Blake Corum ran for another. And kicker Harrison Mevis remained perfect with two field goals and five extra points.
Turner had a key sack for a defense that gave up three touchdown passes and several big plays in the first half, but limited running back Jahmyr Gibbs to 38 yards and neutralized Goff for most of the second.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws during the first half against the Lions on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Goff completed 25 of 41 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 13 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
After the game, Rams trainers immediately put players into recovery mode in preparation for the quick turnaround for the Seahawks.
Unlike McVay, the players looked completely relaxed.
Edge rusher Jared Verse and others reclined on padded, body-length leg compression equipment.
“We got good vibes in here,” Verse said. “Everyone’s feeling good.”
About where they are — and where they are headed.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
