The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay are using some extra fuel heading into their Monday matchup against the Vikings, thanks to a comment from Lions head coach Dan Campbell. After Detroit’s victory over Minnesota last week, Campbell was overheard on a post-game microphone telling Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, “We’ll see you guys in two weeks,” implying that Minnesota would easily advance past LA in the Wild Card round. This comment, which overlooked the Rams, didn’t sit well with McVay and his team.
To keep the motivation high, the Rams printed out a screenshot of the interaction and posted it in their locker room, ensuring the players and staff wouldn’t forget the slight. The Vikings and Lions finished with two of the top NFC records, but LA has already proven they can challenge Minnesota, having beaten them 30-20 in Week 8, limiting their offense and handing the Vikings just six points after the first quarter.
While the Rams already have plenty of incentive to perform—particularly with the ongoing wildfires in California—they now have extra motivation. The team is also showing support for the Los Angeles Fire Department by wearing “LAFD” shirts and hats, bringing back their “LA Together” slogan that helped rally them through a difficult time during the 2018 fires. That season, the Rams went on to defeat the Chiefs in a historic 54-51 Monday Night Football game, further tying their success to the spirit of the city.
With the Rams already capable of competing with any team, the added motivation from Campbell’s words is likely the last thing the Vikings want to see. Though Campbell was likely just being polite, his comment has given LA all the bulletin board material they need.
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