The Los Angeles Rams taking on the Philadelphia Eagles harkens back to a time not that long ago when a wunderkind coach whose offense was taking the league by storm to the tune of over 30 points per game. That is, of course, until he was faced with a defensive mastermind that ground that to a haul — holding his offense to just six points and 214 yards of offense.
That wunderkind, Sean McVay, and that mastermind, Vic Fangio, now the defensive coordinator for the Eagles will now square off once again on Sunday Night Football. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed, both were asked to comment on that fateful and pivotal game.
Rams vs Eagles: McVay on Fangio
“I thought Vic and his coaching staff put together an outstanding game plan.” Sean McVay said to the media, “[It] regulated a lot of the things that we were doing at the time and it forced a lot of reflection. That was a good learning experience for me and you try to apply those things whether you win or lose. There’s been a lot of instances where teams have tried to replicate similar things to you know what was on displaythat night but uh what I have a lot of respect for with Coach Fangio is that you know he’s got an adaptability, a flexibility, and an identity.”
Fangio On McVay
While McVay showed his deference to Fangio and the defensive system that was used by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII to hold the Rams to just three points and 260 yards of offense, Fangio downplayed the whole rematch.
“I haven’t gone against him in six or seven years,” Fangio said acknowledging how the “McVay” offense has changed significantly since that fateful game. But he did speak to stopping a staple of the Rams offense; Pre-snap Motion.
“Well number one, we’ve got to be able to react to it and adjust to it correctly. They do motion a lot at various tempos and they’re trying to get you a little bit out of position and back on your heels a little bit and we’ve got to be ready for it and be able to play correctly and not let them confuse us at all.”
It is apparent from both coaches are focused on the task at hand and they are not reflecting on that game.
