In each of the last two seasons, the Los Angeles Rams got off to dreadful starts. In 2023, they began the year 3-6 before winning seven of their last eight games to finish 10-7 and make the playoffs.
This season, they opened with a 1-4 record through five games, only to win nine of their next 11 to clinch the NFC West in Week 17.
Technically, Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings will only be their second playoff game since the start of 2023, but this team has almost been in win-or-go-home mode for the last two years.
Had the Rams gone 7-5 instead of 9-3 following their Week 6 bye this season, they probably would’ve been left out of the playoffs. They needed every win they got, treating each game like a playoff game.
The second half of last season was even more consequential. They finished 7-1 in their last eight games but had they not beaten some of the teams that they did, they might’ve missed the postseason.
With such a young team that’s had games that feel like playoff showdowns, Sean McVay doesn’t feel he needs to remind his rookies and second-year players how important these games are.
“I think you talk about it, but these guys have embraced the challenges,” McVay said. “In a lot of instances, we’ve kind of been in playoff mode each of the last couple years. They’ve played in big-time games, but it ramps up. I think it’s important to embrace the challenge, embrace the great atmosphere and environment that they’ve earned the right to go compete in while also being as consistent as you can so that you’re at least able to improve and continue to get better throughout the course of this week and then go cut it loose. You educate, but let’s go bring that same sort of energy and approach with an authentic enthusiasm and an ability to go for it. You talk about it. These guys will feel it. I think they’ll be juiced to just go play a little bit better because of the work that they’ll put in throughout the course of this week.”
The Rams know how critical Monday night’s game against the Vikings is. It’s their biggest matchup of the season because if they lose, it’s over. No second chances, no do-overs.
They’ll be prepared for what’s statistically the best wild-card team in NFL history with the Vikings sitting at 14-3, so there won’t be any lack of excitement, focus or anticipation for this wild-card tilt.