Turf Show Times
When it’s very cold, weather never fails to become the featured star of a football game before kickoff. However, oftentimes the game goes as most would expect in neutral weather and if the Rams can manage an early 10 point lead then L.A. may never look back at Chicago again. Still, that could be a big “if” and Sean McVay hasn’t created a sterling reputation for building a lead and keeping it.
What do fans believe that McVay needs to do against the Bears on Sunday night to put the “Matthew Stafford can’t win cold games” narrative on ice?
Jump down to the comments to share your ideas for what McVay must do to win this game and advance tot he NFC Championship in Seattle.
The Rams have the run game advantage to build an early lead against the Bears. Chicago ranked 29th in EPA against first down runs out of 2+ TE sets and we know that McVay loves his 12 and 13 personnel. The Bears ranked 26th against 12 and 13-personnel runs all season long.
This should be a good game for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum..
A cold game could mean a low-scoring game. A low-scoring game is a close game. A close game means that the clock is critically important. McVay’s time management and game management skills have long been questioned and the last thing he wants today (besides any kind of loss) is a loss that makes him look like Sean McDermott today.
And finally.
As in, don’t let your own special teams beat you. As noted when he replaced Chase Blackburn, the Rams interim special teams coordinator is not a magician. He was fired himself a year ago. The Rams allowed a blocked punt last week.
Can McVay survive the postseason and win the Super Bowl in spite of their special teams errors? Can they get through just one game without any?
Share your “must haves” for the Rams and McVay in the comments below as you wait for the game!
