Sean McVay finally cashes in on preseason promise to break Jaguars defense

Throughout the offseason, Los Angeles Rams fans eagerly anticipated new wrinkles from head coach Sean McVay. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation, especially given the team’s clear shift toward a more running back and tight end-centric offense in the 2025 NFL Draft. Once general manager Les Snead selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson and Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter, the expectations were set.

While that could ultimately lead nowhere, it came on the heels of head coach Sean McVay’s comments about infusing elements of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2024 offense. The Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator that year? Current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen. Naturally, everyone expected McVay to showcase some of those Coen concepts in Week 7.

The Rams deployed 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) for the first time in Sean McVay’s tenure, specifically to counter the absence of star wideout Puka Nacua. Davante Adams was up to the challenge of filling that void in Week 7. But with Nacua out again, the offense made it clear that compensating for his absence would require spreading the burden across multiple players.

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13 personnel is not a formation typically used by the 39-year-old head coach. In that grouping, the team deploys three tight ends and one running back, leaving just one wide receiver on the field. The default is 11 personnel — one running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers. With three tight ends, defenses usually counter with more linebackers and anticipate run plays.

The offense kept the defense guessing by targeting tight ends at a phenomenal rate. Of the 33 passes thrown, 13 went to tight ends, resulting in eight completions for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Los Angeles wanted to make a statement before its bye week, and it certainly accomplished that. Quarterback Matthew Stafford only threw for 182 yards, but tossed five touchdowns. And the Rams' offense fell along the same line, putting up just 274 yards but scoring all four times in the Red Zone.

With this win, the Horns enter the Week 8 bye with a record of 5-2. And the game puts them back into the conversation as a true contender. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? McVay certainly shocked the Jaguars and the NFL with a master class in how to deploy the available talent on the team. As always, thanks for reading.