When the LA Rams shuffled off the field after a difficult win in Week 7, the team's defense showed signs of turning the corner. Not every fan agreed, even though the defense generated four turnovers, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and did not allow the Las Vegas Raiders offense to score a touchdown. It was a win that was of the defense's making.
The Rams offense seemed to be stuck in limbo. Stafford appeared to be struggling, as did the entire game planning process. The team was reluctant to deploy its 12 personnel package, even as that seemed to play to the personnel strengths. And as a result, the team had just five days to leverage that win, and find a way to defeat one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now.
So that is exactly what LA Rams HC Sean McVay did.
McVay was at his all-time best in this one. He was fearless throughout the game, rolling the dice at pivotal moments that held the balance of victory or defeat, and his players came through for him. Consider the performance of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, a player who struggled mightily all season. Despite throwing for just three touchdowns all season, he understood that the outcome of Game 7 would play a monumental role in how the team approached the upcoming 2024 NFL Trade Deadline.
He clearly wants his friend and teammate, WR Cooper Kupp, to stay.
But this was unlike other Rams offensive efforts this season. The team finally tapped into the depth of talent on the offensive side of the football. Nine different players caught passes. The Rams successfully rushed both RB Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in a game. And the offense was stopped more from their own penalties than anything the Minnesota Vikings defense seemed to muster.
And the Vikings defensive coordinator is none other than Brian Flores, the guy who always seems to dominate the Rams offense, no matter which team he is coaching.
The Rams put up 30 points on the Vikings with just five days preparation. Compared to the 31 points allowed to the Detroit Lions, that is the second most points that the Vikings have surrendered all season.
It just so happens to be the most points scored by the Rams all season as well. Even after the Week 8 performance, the Rams defense allows 24.9 points per game on average. The Vikings only scored 20. The Vikings allow just 19.6 points per game on average. The Rams scored 30.
It only took five days for Rams Head Coach Sean McVay to game plan the perfect Stafford offense. And now, with a mini-BYE on the schedule before the team travels to take on the Seattle Seahawks, we can bask in that masterful performance just a wee bit longer.
As always. thanks for reading.