It’s been three years since the Los Angeles Rams were in a position where they didn’t have a firm hold on a playoff spot entering the final two weeks of the season. They won the NFC West the last two seasons, earning a first-round bye in 2018, but this year, they’re on the outside looking in.
In order for Los Angeles to make the playoffs, it will need to win its last two games with the Vikings losing their last two. It’s not impossible, but it’s also highly unlikely and the Rams probably know it.
As slim of a chance as the Rams have to make the playoffs, the team isn’t giving up just yet. Sean McVay won’t let his players throw in the towel, telling them to “attack the day.”
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys that love football – I love football, our coaches do. Really, you cherish these opportunities to go compete,” he said. “You’re only guaranteed 16 of them, we’ve got two left for sure. No matter how this thing shakes out, I think what we’ve talked about is you’re not going to have any regrets as long as you go for it. You go compete to the best of your ability and I trust that’s what we’re going to do. At least, you’re saying, maybe you give yourself a chance, but even if we (didn’t) even have a chance of continuing to play afterwards, we’ve got an opportunity to go get our ninth win. Like I said the other day, there’s a lot of prideful guys. When you love what you do and you love the people you’re doing it with, you want to make sure you do right by them.”
McVay is a great motivator, so fans can fully expect the Rams to come out and play hard against the 49ers. Yes, they’re playing for a playoff spot, but also for their own pride.