LA Rams history with the NFC Championship Game

2016-2021 LA Rams (McVay era)

After a number of seasons where the St. Louis Rams struggled to find success, two things happened that would change the franchise once more. The first was the news that the Rams were returning to Los Angeles, California. That move would be handled under the watch of head coach Jeff Fisher.  But after the team made the move, the newly returned LA Rams plummeted to a record of 4-9. At that point, the organization fired Fisher gave ST Coordinator John Fassel the designation of Interim Head Coach, and the Rams ended 2016 with a record of 4-12.

Won 2018 NFC Championship (4-6)

In just his second season with the LA Rams, head coach Sean McVay had taken his team to the NFC Championship Game.  The Rams (15-3) faced the New Orleans Saints (14-4) in what was one of the most thrilling, and controversial, NFC Championship Games in NFL history.

The No Pass Interference occurred at 1:49 remaining in the game when Saints quarterback Drew Brees dropped back to pass to Tommy Lee Lewis. Slot cornerback Nickell Robey Coleman saw the ball arcing to Lewis, and rushed to the Saints receiver. If he turns around, he likely intercepts the ball. But he had his head down and was simply trying to break up the play. He arrived moments before the ball did.

The no-call would remain a point of contention among Saints fans and Sean Payton, during his announcement of retiring in 2022, mentioned the play. The Rams and Saints would end regulation play tied at 23-23. But the Rams kicked a field goal in overtime to win the game. LA Rams 26 New Orleans Saints 23.

Lost Super Bowl LIII (1-2)

After the LA Rams finished both the 2017 and 2018 seasons with a high-scoring and dangerous offense, the belief was that Super Bowl LIII would be a high-scoring affair. But that was not the case. Rather, the Rams high scoring offense was neutralized by a midnight-oil concocted defensive scheme drawn up by the Patriots.

The Patriots would show one look, but moments before the offensive snap would reconfigure their defense to throw all of the presnap read responsibility solely upon the shoulders of third-year quarterback Jared Goff. That grounded the high-flying Rams passing attack, making the game a battle in the trenches. Patriots RB Sony Michel ran 18 times for 94 yards and the only touchdown in the game.  The Rams combination of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson combined for 17 rushes and 57 yards.

The LA Rams lost that game to the New England Patriots by a score of LA Rams 3 New England Patriots 13.

In the end, the LA Rams are 4-6 in the NFC Championship Game, and head coach Sean McVay is 1-0 in the contest. Will the Rams prevail this year? Hopefully, the outcome of this upcoming game will put the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.