If the Los Angeles Lakers were gonna make the Super Bowl this year, they had to go through their biggest rivals and toughest opponent in the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers had Sean McVay and the Rams’ number as of late, winning six straight games, including two this year when they blew them out in Week 10 and then erased a 17-point deficit in Week 18.
This one was just as challenging as the Rams entered the fourth quarter trailing 17-7 at SoFi Stadium. McVay’s team never gave up though, fighting all the way back for the 20-17 win to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVI.
After the hard-fought game between two bitter rivals, McVay made sure to begin his press conference by giving respect to the 49ers.
“First of all, so much respect for the 49ers,” McVay said. “It’s a great team. (49ers Head) Coach (Kyle) Shanahan does an excellent job. They’re tough and physical, they fight until the end. It took everything we had. But I’m so proud of our group. So proud of our players, our coaches. Just proud to be associated with these guys. So many special men in that locker room. And love this team. We’ve got one more.
“But today was a great sign of resilience. We talked about that’s one of the things that’s kind of embodied this group. You go down 17-7, doesn’t look good. But the guys just stayed in the moment. One play at a time. Did a great job. Defense to be able to close it out, especially after the last time we played them, the way that went. There were just so many great plays today by great players, and just really happy to be associated with these guys and we’ve got one more.”
Despite losing six straight to the 49ers, McVay added that his team wasn’t looking at this game from the revenge angle.
“We didn’t really look at it like that. We looked at just being in this moment, taking care of this game today. It was the NFC Championship. Huge game. Our guys did a great job. And each game is its own separate entity. And I’m really just happy those guys got it done today.”
While they weren’t focus on the previous six games, the Rams understand how good their opponent was and weren’t going to overlook them.
“I think the respect for each other came into the game and we knew what a physical game it would be,” McVay said. “I thought our guys did a great job controlling their emotions. We didn’t have anything where you’re giving them something cheap, and I was proud of that. And our guys came, they had a good look in their eye, really, the last couple of weeks, but especially this week. They knew it was its own separate entity from the previous games, and they came out here and delivered in a big way.”
Given how much he personally and the Rams have struggled against the 49ers the last few years, you would think this game would have meant extra to McVay and his team.
He says that is not the case, however.
“I wouldn’t say that. We knew – I think we knew what a great team this was. But you guys think it might just be coach-speak, but our guys genuinely knew, ‘Hey, we’re familiar with this opponent but the previous six games where we didn’t find a way to finish have nothing to do with what’s going to occur at 3:30 or 3:40 when we kick this thing off.’ Those are separate entities. Our guys did a great job of being able to compartmentalize.
“We always talk about being totally and completely present, having a short memory from the good and the bad, being able to hit that reset button. I thought our guys did that in a big way. (I’m) looking forward to enjoying this and then being able to get back to work. Grateful to be working still and love this team.”
While the win over the 49ers was sweet, even if McVay doesn’t want to admit it, the job is not finished for this Rams team.
They now get to host the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI, and that will be another team they can’t overlook.
