The Rams will be on center stage Monday night when they host the Baltimore Ravens at the Coliseum. It’s a marquee matchup between last season’s NFC representative in the Super Bowl and one of this year’s top contenders in the AFC.
It’s the second straight week the Rams will be in prime time, and they still have two more night games remaining on their schedule this season. By now, they should be used to playing under the bright lights.
Sean McVay likes the idea of being the only game on, but he also sees cons to playing on Monday Night Football – primarily having to wait all weekend to play one day after every other team.
“I would say this: It’s fun being the only game on, but for us it really doesn’t change anything. It’s about getting ready for a game. The only thing that I think sometimes you prefer, it’s a long day waiting around,” McVay said this weekend. “The benefit is, you have your day where you get a chance to see a little bit of football – being a fan of the game – and watching the day before but, you feel like Monday is an eternity. I think all things being equal, me as a coach, you’d prefer to stay on a regulated rhythm, because once that thing kicks off, it’s a normal football game. To be able to play on national television, the atmospheres that we’ve had at night, especially at the Coliseum, those always bring out some fun environments for the guys to be able to compete in.”
Monday night will be a huge test for the Rams, not because it’s in prime time, but because of their opponent. The Ravens have won six in a row and look like one of the best teams in the league.
Todd Gurley is fine with playing on Monday night, but he’d rather take the field on Sunday and get the week over with.
“Nah,” he said of whether prime time games give players extra juice. “Actually, they’re cool, but I’d rather just get the game over with. Just go onto the next week.”
Kickoff on Monday night is set for 8:15 p.m. ET from the Coliseum.