The Los Angeles Rams have experienced a remarkable turnaround during the latter half of the NFL regular season, winning seven of their last nine games after a rough 1-4 start. This resurgence has been attributed to head coach Sean McVay’s ability to connect with his team and instill a sense of resilience and purpose.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford praised McVay for his leadership, emphasizing the importance of the head coach’s role in fostering a resilient mindset. “I think [resilience on the team] obviously starts with the head coach and then trickles down from there,” Stafford said. “It’s all about just putting the work in and understanding that it’s a journey. You have to find ways to try and win, be tough and resilient.”
A turning point for the Rams came after a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 24, when McVay reminded his team there were “39 guaranteed days left” in the season. The message helped the team refocus and take things one day at a time. Stafford found the approach motivating, noting, “It’s daunting to look at the whole chunk. [McVay] broke it down for us and did a hell of a job… It’s a great way to galvanize the group.”
The Rams have since embodied McVay’s challenge to leave no regrets on the field. Their ability to adapt and win in varying circumstances was evident in their contrasting recent victories—a thrilling 44-42 shootout against the Buffalo Bills on December 8 and a gritty 12-6 defensive battle against the San Francisco 49ers on December 12.
McVay highlighted the team’s response to his challenge following the Eagles game: “We challenged our guys a few weeks back to say, ‘Hey, no matter what happens, let’s make sure there’s no regrets after the Philly game. Let’s make sure we bring everything that we’ve got every single day.’ Our guys have done that since then.”
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp credited the team’s belief in their ability to win as a driving force behind their success. “There is something to be said about a team that just believes that they’re going to find a way to win games,” Kupp said. “I think that’s something in this building that we’ve taken that mindset, and it’s going to continue to be what we’re about.”
With three games left in the regular season, the Rams are building momentum at the perfect time. Tight end Colby Parkinson expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory, stating, “You can feel the momentum. You can feel the team coming together each and every week a little bit more, and we’re peaking at the right time. It’s exactly what we want.”
If the Rams can maintain this resilience, they have a strong chance to claim the NFC West title and make a deep postseason run.
