The Los Angeles Rams were officially eliminated from playoff contention with their heartbreaking loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16.
Although the prospect of them making the postseason had been a bit far-fetched to begin with, their loss has put the stamp on an extremely disappointing 2019 NFL season. They will need to come away with a win over the Arizona Cardinals in the finale at home in order to at least hang their hat on a winning 9-7 record.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has acknowledged that the Rams have fallen vastly short of expectations following their Super Bowl run in the 2018 campaign. It seems he is still coming to grips with have an early start to the offseason.
McVay said during his postgame press conference that falling short of another trip to the playoffs is nothing short of disappointing:
“I mean, it’s fresh right now,” said McVay. “It’s tough because you care so much about these players and the work that they put in.”
McVay admitted that he is looking forward to going back to the drawing board in the offseason:
“I know that once we get through next week, I can’t wait to attack the offseason and figure out how I can be better.”
McVay had taken the league by storm with his brilliant offensive mind and innovative play-calling that helped lead the Rams from the worst offense in the league to the highest-scoring in his first two seasons as head coach. Unfortunately, this group is now a shell of its former self and there is now plenty of speculation regarding the direction of this team.
There is no question that McVay has taken plenty of flak for the sudden drop-off on throughout the course of the season. He has never passed up an opportunity to hold himself accountable in order to help turn things around, however, Los Angeles simply could not find a way to click on all cylinders for more than two weeks at a time and it ultimately cost them a chance to defend their NFC crown.
McVay will have a laundry list of issues to address on both sides of the ball. Fortunately, the early start to the offseason should provide him with extra time to make preparations.
Until then, his focus will be ending this underwhelming season on a high note by beating the Cardinals once again in the final home game at the Coliseum.
