Sean McVay Faces Familiar Challenge as Rams Prepare to Battle Vic Fangio and the Eagles

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is set to face a familiar and formidable opponent when his team takes on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football at SoFi Stadium. The Eagles, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, present a significant challenge, particularly given their past encounter in 2018.

In that 2018 matchup, Fangio’s Chicago Bears defense dominated McVay’s Rams, resulting in a humbling 15-6 defeat for the Rams. McVay reflected on that game, stating, “That was a really humbling night. They did a great job. I think very similar to what I talked about that year in the Super Bowl, [I’m] not afraid to admit, there were things that I didn’t do a good enough job of putting our players in spots.”

The Bears’ defense, under Fangio’s direction, shut down the Rams’ offense, intercepting quarterback Jared Goff four times and sacking him four times, including one for a safety. This performance forced McVay and the Rams to reflect on their strategies and has since influenced other teams, including the New England Patriots, who used similar tactics to outscheme the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Now, as the Rams prepare to face the Eagles, McVay is aware of the stiff competition. The Eagles boast one of the NFL’s top defenses, having given up just 17.9 points per game and ranking second in passing defense and seventh in rushing defense. Key players like tackle Jalen Carter, outside linebacker Josh Sweat, and cornerback Darious Slay Jr. will pose significant challenges for McVay and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

McVay has expressed his respect for Fangio’s adaptability and game-planning skills, noting that Fangio’s defenses always seem to find a way to disrupt opponents’ strategies. Despite the past defeat, McVay sees this upcoming game as an opportunity for growth and improvement, emphasizing that “the only real growth occurs when you go through those challenging things, if you’re able to use it for the right reasons.”