Regardless of beginning the season 1-4, the Los Angeles Rams have rebounded to win the NFC West for the fourth time since Sean McVay took over as head coach.
The Rams had been in a position to win the division earlier than their Week 18 recreation towards the Seattle Seahawks, which presents an attention-grabbing dilemma for the teaching employees.
L.A. is at the moment the No. 3 seed within the NFC however can drop to fourth in the event that they lose to Seattle and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 18. If the Rams are the third seed, they might host both the Washington Commanders or Inexperienced Bay Packers within the first spherical of the playoffs whereas if they’re fourth, they might host both the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
It seems the Rams will prioritize well being over seeding although as McVay revealed on the Coach McVay Present that they’ll seemingly relaxation some key guys in Week 18 as a way to give them every week off earlier than the playoffs:
“These are at all times the nice questions you ask your self. And I believe you’ve a accountability as a head coach and together with your teaching employees to collaborate and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to compete each alternative that we get.’ You don’t decrease the significance of each single recreation. However relative to what’s in danger, what’s at reward by way of both or, and having the ability to possibly get some guys which might be – you recognize, the toll {that a} season takes – get them again, refreshed, rejuvenated. Usually, we’ve erred on the facet of leaning a little bit bit extra in the direction of that and I might think about as we proceed to finalize our plans, that’s most likely the route we’ll go.”
Resting guys when a playoff spot is locked up is one thing the Rams have accomplished up to now so McVay mentioned they’ll lean on that have when making a call this time:
“In every of these cases, I don’t essentially have a look at what occurred after we performed, however I do assume it served us nicely going into Detroit. Got here up a degree quick. And I believe in a number of cases, that Atlanta recreation main into the wild-card recreation – first residence playoff recreation on the Coliseum – I believed our guys had been able to go. And there have been some cases the place you say as a coach, man, you wish to do quite a bit higher job for guys. I believe it served us nicely for what the intent was. Clearly, the objective is to be as recent, as sharp as we will presumably be when the playoffs kick off, whereas not minimizing the significance of each single recreation is a blessing to play in.”
Matthew Stafford has performed each snap at quarterback for the Rams this season and there’s no denying the 36-year-old can use every week off. Meaning Jimmy Garoppolo would get the beginning, which McVay is worked up about:
“I believe he’s a extremely, actually good soccer participant and I’m trying ahead to seeing him simply go play the best way he’s able to and it’s an awesome problem towards a wonderful protection that’s hitting their stride on the proper time.”
McVay additionally mentioned some gamers he’s trying ahead to seeing get reps on Sunday:
“There’s a handful of men that would come to thoughts instantly, however I’m enthusiastic about seeing Blake Corum get a heavy workload. I’m excited to see what Cody Schrader is about. I’ve cherished what I’ve seen from him in a few of these apply settings. I believe Blake has flashed in a few of the alternatives that he’s gotten. Seeking to see a few of these offensive linemen get alternatives which have accomplished a wonderful job presenting appears and serving to our protection develop all through the season.”
If Blake Corum and Cody Schrader are getting work at working again then meaning Kyren Williams will seemingly sit out as nicely. Different key veterans like Cooper Kupp, Rob Havenstein and Darious Williams will all seemingly get the week off too.
Puka Nacua is 10 yards away from one other 1,000-yard receiving season so he may probably attempt to get these as rapidly as doable earlier than becoming a member of the opposite starters on the bench to keep away from getting injured.
Rams-Seahawks set for Sunday at 1:25 p.m PT
If there have been playoff implications for the Rams’ recreation towards the Seahawks in Week 18 then it seemingly would have taken place on Saturday night time. With the Rams already clinching although, the NFL determined to place the sport on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.
