Back in 2018, one of the most important football games of the modern era took place, the Los Angeles Rams took on the Chicago Bears. That Sunday night, Sean McVay’s offense faced off against Vic Fangio’s defense.
The Rams have scored more than 30 points in 10 of their previous 12 games so far. Fangio’s bear went to McVay, Goff and co. It was one of their most tragic experiences in the NFL. The Rams were held to just six points as Jared Goff threw four interceptions. It was also the last time the Bears won on Sunday Night Football.
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Last season, the Rams tried to avoid an early-season loss against the Bears at Soldier Field. The Rams went 1-for-4 in the red zone and lost 24-18. It was the second of just five wins for the Bears in 2024.
McVay’s last two wins at Soldier Field came in December 2015 and 2016 as offensive coordinator in Washington. Washington won both games.
The Rams’ demons, however, have always existed at Lakeside Stadium. In 1985, the Rams faced the Bears in the NFC Championship Game. Dieter Brock threw for 66 yards and Eric Dickers threw for 46 yards. This is the only playoff game since the Rams and Bears merged. To make matters worse, the Rams won at Soldier Field the next season, the Bears’ second of two regular-season losses.
The Rams are 5-11-1 since Soldier Field opened in 1971 and have lost four straight games dating to 2003. They were 1-5 after December, with their only win coming in 1973 when they went 26-0. Lawrence McCutcheon rushed for 152 yards on a day when the temperature was still 45 degrees.
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Throughout Rams history, these are games the Rams have lost. The good Rams were left empty-handed as they had to play road games in the cold-weather playoffs.
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1967: After winning in Los Angeles as a three-point favorite, lost to the Green Bay Packers 28-7 in 13-degree weather.
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1969: Lost to the Minnesota Vikings 23-20 in 11-degree weather.
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1974: After winning the regular season, lost to the Vikings 14-10 in 29-degree weather.
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1976: Lost to the Vikings 24-13 in 19-degree weather. Regular season tie.
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1983: Lost to Washington 51-7 in 28-degree weather.
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1985: Lost to the Bears 24-0 in 36-degree weather.
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1986: Lost to Washington 19-7 in 35-degree weather.
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2020: Lost to the Packers 32-18 in 35-degree weather.
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2024: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 28-22 in 34-degree weather.
The good Rams have an empty roster due to having to play road games in cold weather in the playoffs. Seasons like 1974 and 2024 end up being forgotten seasons, and if they had won those games, they might have won the Super Bowl. The Rams were a dominant team in the mid-70s but lost to the Vikings three times.
These plays have haunted the Rams and McVay throughout history and his tenure. The Rams end the season against the Packers at Lambeau Field for the fourth consecutive year. They lost all four games. One of them is a playoff loss, while the other two could put the Rams in a better seeding position.
There has been a lot of focus on how the Rams will perform in the cold weather and on the road Sunday, especially when it comes to Matthew Stafford. The bigger question, however, is whether McVay can win the game in this situation. Can McVay build a physical football brand based on the running game? McVay’s home record in the playoffs is 4 wins and 1 loss, but his road record is only 4 wins and 3 losses. The Rams lost in the 2023 playoffs to a Ben Johnson-led offense.
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The Rams built their lineup for this after losing to the Eagles in cold weather last season. They’ve built one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL. Kyren Williams and Blake Colum rank first and third in rushing success rate. The Rams have the best run-blocking offensive line in the NFL and are statistically the best in the past 30 years. Against the Eagles, they have the best run-stop winning percentage in the NFL.
Back in 2021, Matthew Stafford needed to overcome his playoff demons. This season and Sunday will be more about McVay overcoming his struggles.
