It hasn’t been perfect, yet McVay has Rams in the thick of the playoff hunt once more
In his illustrious tenure, Sean McVay has guided the L.A. Rams to a Super Bowl title, but this year’s team might result in his best coaching feat yet. That much was true after the Rams defeated the 49ers 12-6 in an absolute eyesore of a game on Thursday Night Football. McVay wins every other day of the week, but should never be counted out on Thursdays.
The Rams are now 8-2 in Thursday Night Football games under Head Coach Sean McVay and are 3-1 on the road in such games. pic.twitter.com/qDOXGeu42P
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) December 13, 2024
To be clear, nothing about McVay’s coaching has been perfect in 2024, as there have been several ugly losses including ones to the Bears, Packers and Dolphins. However, practically raising the Rams back from the dead following their dreadful start to the season has been remarkable.
Only 15 teams in NFL history have ever made the playoffs after starting 1-4. Three of those instances have occurred within the last decade.
2016 Dolphins: Finished 10-6, second in the AFC East, lost 30-12 to the Steelers in the Wild Card Round
2018 Colts: Finished 10-6, second in the AFC South, lost 31-13 to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round
2020 Commanders: Finished 7-9, first in the NFC East, lost 31-23 to the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round
There was every reason to punt on the season and move on to next year due to the misfortunes LA suffered through in the early going. If McVay proved anything on Thursday — besides that easily he’s a top-five coach in the league — it’s that his teams never quit on him, unlike his counterpart in San Francisco. BOOM! ROASTED.
The Rams are always in the playoff hunt under McVay, something that wasn’t the case stemming back to the St. Louis days.
Sean McVay #Rams record each year after Week 15:
2024: 8-6
2023: 7-7
2022: 4-10
2021: 10-4
2020: 9-5
2019: 8-6
2018: 11-3
2017: 10-4
– (BEFORE McVay)
2016: 4-10
2015: 6-8
2014: 6-8
2013: 6-8
2012: 6-7-1
2011: 2-12
2010: 6-8
2009: 1-13
2008: 2-12
2007: 3-11
2006: 6-8
2005: 5-9…— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) December 13, 2024
McVay won’t get Coach of the Year honors for his efforts, not with Mike Tomlin, Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell existing. While that’s a shame, the 2017 COY winner doesn’t need the added hardware considering he’s long since proven himself. Regardless of how this campaign turns out, the Rams will never be out of it with McVay at the helm.
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images