Rams McVay has his work cut out for him in Week 12

First year head coach Sean McVay has had the right touch in 2017. But for the Los Angeles Rams to remain a playoff contender, he’ll have to find a way to beat the Saints.

It all seemed to be humming along for the Los Angeles Rams and first year head coach Sean McVay. Then a funny thing happened in Minnesota; a 24-7 loss to a surging Vikings team and former LA quarterback, Case Keenum.

Next: 3 predictions for Rams against Saints in Week 12

Keenum may yet be one of the best stories of 2017 in the NFL when all’s said and done.

Don’t get me wrong, 7-3 heading home for another big game isn’t a bad thing, but the Vikings showed that maybe, just maybe, the Rams aren’t ready for the big games when they count the most late in the season.

As such, McVay is now tasked with getting the Rams ready for a second week of NFC title and Super Bowl contenders.

Sean Payton and Drew Brees lead the NFC South at 8-2, and lead the latest round of speculation of Super Bowl maybes, as the NFL begins to close out November, and the Rams face injuries and the aftermath of when a defense figures out how to stall their high-flying offense.

For better or for worse, Los Angeles has feasted on lesser teams. When they got their first chance at equal talent, they were bested by them.

For McVay, the Saints are another chance for his young team to beat a winner and division leader, and even he admits needing to be better saying he, “must do a better job for our team and for our offense,” noting that he “didn’t put them in enough good situations.”

After an opening touchdown drive that looked to be an indicator of what was to come, Los Angeles would tally only 179 yards and no touchdowns or points of any kind.

A veteran tandem like Payton and Brees will take advantage of another Rams offensive flat line if McVay doesn’t devise a way to get someone not named Robert Woods involved.

More from Ramblin' Fan

• NFL Trade Rumors: Would Rams trade for Jonathon Taylor?
• Look for 49ers players to follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
• Ryans to the Texans, will Rams Raheem Morris be next?
• Broncos mimic LA Rams, go All-In pairing Payton with Russell
• Need a new Los Angeles Rams hat for less than $10?

Does that mean Sammy Watkins is more than just an occasional mention during a Rams game?

What about Josh Reynolds?

Fans have gotten accustomed to the usual roster of regular mentions like Cooper Kupp and Woods. McVay will have to look down the depth chart and dial it up in Week12 if the charmed season of the Los Angeles Rams is to roll on into a brutal five game stretch in December.

The games get tougher from here on out, and the first year head coach will have his work cut out for him.

Especially if that Coach Of The Year award is to remain a lock in 2017.