NFL playoffs: Rams aim to deliver a ‘full 60’ against Bears
Sean McVay, taking inspiration from quarterback Matthew Stafford, will don a neoprene upper body underwear. Maybe a heated vest. And her gelled hair tip will be covered with a cap.
The Rams coach doesn’t need any weather-related distractions on the field or sideline when his team faces the Chicago Bears Sunday in an NFL divisional game at Soldier Field, where the wind chill factor could drop below zero.
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Gary Klein explains everything you need to know ahead of the Rams’ NFC divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
“What do you think, I’ll dress like the Michelin Man or something?” McVay said when asked about his planned attire on the sidelines. “And now that I’m not so stubborn about putting on a hat after my mom and wife ripped my ass off, I’ll be in good shape there too.”
The Rams are aiming for a better finish and warmer feel than they had the last time they played a divisional game in cold weather.
Almost exactly a year ago, the Rams traveled to Philadelphia and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in the snow.
The Rams could have avoided being on the road to the playoffs this year if they had held on to the NFC’s top seed, but they have lost three of their last six games and have fallen to fifth.
So here they are again.
The Rams are coming off a 34-31 victory over the Carolina Panthers, a victory that followed a familiar script: The Rams led early, allowed the opponent to get back into the game with lulls and costly mistakes, then pulled out a victory.
“Are we looking for consistent execution for a full 60 hours? [minutes]McVay said this week: “There’s no doubt about it. We’re going to keep fighting for it. Maybe this week is the week.
Stafford played 12 seasons for the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, so he’s used to playing in cold weather.
Stafford suffered a sprained right index finger against the Panthers, but said his finger felt “good” and he was a full participant in practice this week.
Stafford faces a Bears defense that led the NFL with 23 interceptions and recovered 10 fumbles.
Under first-year coach Ben Johnson and with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams making huge strides, the Bears won several comeback games, including their 31-27 divisional round victory over the Green Bay Packers.
“You have to give them a lot of credit,” Stafford said. “They have a quarterback, a team, a coach that all believe in each other and the way they should. They’ve proven that multiple times this year.”
The Rams are buoyed by the return of right guard Kevin Dotson, who was out three games with an ankle injury. Dotson adds a layer of protection for Stafford to connect with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and he could play a crucial role if McVay chooses to go with three tight ends and a run-heavy approach that highlights running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
“If we throw the ball, if we run the ball, if we protect it, it doesn’t matter,” Williams said. “I’m going to be ready for it. … Whether there’s a 100 mph wind and we have to throw that ball, or if there’s no wind and we’re just going to throw the ball, it doesn’t matter.”
The Bears rely on running back D’Andre Swift to put together a passing game that includes called and off-schedule plays from Williams.
“The key to not getting too cold on the field is to not let them go through really long practices,” defensive lineman Kobie Turner said. “So how about we make some threes and get back to the heat of the benches.”
Rams center Coleman Shelton played last season for the Bears. He experienced several matches in cold weather. Keeping your hands warm between shots is key.
“Hand warmers, whatever you need to do to maintain the sensation so your hands don’t go numb,” he said.
The Rams gained experience in cold weather games last season against the New York Jets and Eagles. Players said they were unaffected by the elements when the action took place on the field.
“That’s when there’s TV timeouts and stuff,” offensive lineman Steve Avila said. “That’s when you’re like, ‘Awww, this sucks.’
The Rams aren’t complaining, though.
They had a good week of training in sunny and warm weather.
If they beat the Bears, they will advance to the NFC championship game against the winner of Saturday’s game between the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks and the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers.
“We play for our lives here,” Turner said, “so it doesn’t matter if we’re playing in the middle of a parking lot, it doesn’t matter if it’s snowing or it’s hot here in practice.
“Wherever the ball falls, we’re locked in.” »
