INGLEWOOD — Sean McVay used to pride himself on how little sleep he could operate on as a coach. He’s gotten away from that mindset in recent years, but this week is testing that fortitude in a new way.
On Sunday, McVay’s Rams beat the Detroit Lions to clinch a playoff appearance. McVay left SoFi Stadium and went to the hospital, where his wife Veronika gave birth to their second child, Christian, at 6 a.m. Monday. There was little time to savor the moment, as McVay turned around to begin preparations for the Rams’ Thursday night matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
“Not really. Even for me,” McVay said when asked Tuesday morning if he had slept in the previous two days. “This is a good challenge. It’s a blessing to be able to play in meaningful games this late in the season. I have a lot of appreciation for our staff and fighting the good fight right now.”
It would be a difficult turnaround against any opponent. But in Seattle, the Rams and Seahawks will fight for control of the NFC West race. Both teams sit at 11-3, with the Rams currently the division leader thanks to a November win over the Seahawks. If they beat Seattle again Thursday, they will be one win away from clinching a second consecutive division title with two to play.
The setting will befit the stakes – rowdy Lumen Field in primetime on rain-soaked grass, with more precipitation and wind in the forecast.
The Rams feel relatively comfortable in those conditions. The offense moved the ball well against the Carolina Panthers during a wet second half, and had practice in London as well.
Outside linebacker Jared Verse said he was excited to play in the rain, noting that offensive players feel hits more in cold conditions and that the drops of water add to any slow-motion highlights. Offensively, it’ll be more of an in-the-moment decision.
“You just have to call the game and play the game as the weather allows you to,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “For me personally, I just try to do everything I can to continue to do what I always do, throw it in a good spot and let those guys go make plays.”
If it does turn into a sloppier game, the Rams have shown the last few weeks that they are equipped for that kind of challenge with the play of running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Williams rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries against the Lions, while Corum added 70 and a score on 11 rushes. It marked the third straight game each rushed for at least 70 yards and scored a rushing in a game, making them the first NFL teammates since at least 1950 to accomplish the feat, according to NFL research.
The Seahawks will have a say on whether or not that streak stands after Thursday. Seattle is first in the NFL in rushing defense estimated points added per play (-0.201). But the Rams will have the horses in the backfield and an offensive line that has been blocking at a high level.
“If it’s difficult to throw, obviously being able to run the football will be paramount and key,” Stafford said. “I think back to the Carolina game, it got really rainy mid-fourth quarter. I feel like we had an entire drive almost, maybe a couple plays here and there where we threw it, but we started with a big run by Blake down the sideline. That drive was steady handing the ball off and our guys winning up front.”
The run defense is just one way the Seahawks challenge teams. From the pass rush to a wily secondary to one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the game in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Rams have had plenty to focus on in the four days in between games.
But McVay, red-eyed or not, has been engaged as the Rams prepare for the pivotal game.
“He been the same old guy I’ve seen,” Stafford said. “He’s obviously a dedicated family man, but he’s also dedicated to us, so he’s been doing a great job. I think he’s relied on the other coaches as well to help out where he can’t. It’ll be a collaborative effort as it always is, but he’s been around as much as I’ve seen him. He’s ready to rock and roll.”
Rams at Seattle
When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: Prime