The Los Angeles Rams are currently one of the best teams in the NFL with a 3-0 record. However, with success follows complacency. A trap the Rams are trying to resist falling into as they prepare to play the 1-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While only two games separate the two teams, perception paints the divide so much wider. Rams head coach Sean McVay has made this a point of emphasis to his team.
“Every single week there has to be a sense or urgency and a focus that’s really unmatched. It’s so competitive and when you look at the Bucs, they’ve really been down to the wire in all their games.”
The Rams are 16-1 when facing teams with records below .500 in the McVay era. This is an incredible stat considering how hard wins are to comeby in the NFL. Wins are not a guarantee in the NFL regardless of who the opponent is. They are earned.
It is common for teams to play down to their competition in many circumstances and lose a lot of those games. This particularly happens with the lower-tier teams in the league. Teams that players feel as though they do not need to bring their A-game against due to the talent gap.
This speaks more to the culture that is in place in Los Angeles. The Rams view all their opponents as equals and believe the chances of losing are real each week. That is a sign of leadership that the coaching staff and players deserve credit for.
The Buccaneers two losses this season combine for a total of 15 points. While the Buccaneers can be eratic at times with their play, they can still compete with any team in any given week. The Rams will be ready for whatever version of the Buccaneers shows up in Los Angeles to play Sunday.
McVay and his staff will be sure of that. They always have been.
This post was originally from thescorecrow.com.
Brendan Abban is the owner/creator of brendanabban.com and hosts the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @Abbanbrendan or email him via [email protected].
