The Los Angeles Rams finally get to wear a crown they have not worn in approximately 14 years. The NFC West crown.
A crown that has made its rounds around the division multiple times. Each team in the division has won the division title in the 14-year time-frame except for the Rams(excluding this year).
The Seattle Seahawks have won it eight times, the Arizona Cardinals three times and the San Francisco 49ers two times. Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans put the Rams into that conversation for the first time in 14 years.
A Rams team in recent years would have fell short in a similar situation. A game where they can lock up the division title and guarantee themselves home-field advantage in at least one round of the playoffs. No one would put their money on a Rams team within this past decade and a half accomplishing that feat.
However, this Rams team is different than any of its mediocre predecessors.
While the NFC West title is not the full scope of ambition for this young Rams team. It is a big stepping stone towards something greater.
This team has a Super Bowl run in mind. It has been that way since the start of the season. Head coach Sean McVay spoke on this during media availability:
“To start out the year, the first way that you know you can ensure yourself a home playoff spot and a chance to compete for a world championship, is by winning your division.”
Since his team was able to achieve one of its main goals of the season, McVay also spoke on the idea of resting some of his players:
“Because of the numbers – there’s a couple guys that you’d probably say you won’t play at all.
This Rams team is getting ready for the next leg of the Super Bowl race which is the playoff run. It is an experience the organization and fans should not take for granted.
Especially since it has been 14 years in the making.
Brendan Abban is the host of the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BAbban24 or email him via [email protected]. This article was originally written and published on SB Nation.
