Let’s rewind to September when the Los Angeles Rams faced a tough start to the season. Star receiver Cooper Kupp was injured, along with his teammate Puka Nacua, as injuries plagued the squad. They suffered a significant loss to the Arizona Cardinals on September 15.

After that match, when asked if there was anything positive to glean from the experience, McVay’s response was straightforward: “There’s nothing positive about it. The only good news is that the game is over, and we can move on.”

The initial phase of the season was, to say the least, a catastrophe for the Rams. One headline declared: “Rams season effectively over with latest Cooper Kupp injury update.” Admittedly, it was a bit exaggerated, but given the team’s dire circumstances at the time, it wasn’t entirely unfounded. With several players sidelined, the Rams opened the season with a record of 0-2 and later found themselves at 1-4.

Then Sean McVay, true to form, stepped up. He excels in crisis management better than most coaches in the league. When faced with adversity, he finds a way to uplift the Rams. If the team is struggling, he’s the one who bears the burden. If the squad needs motivation, he stands as their source of energy. If innovation is required, he becomes the mastermind behind it all.

While he’s not infallible, he has come remarkably close.

After starting 1-4, the Rams bounced back to win 4 of their next 5 games. McVay was on his game, consistently showcasing his coaching prowess.

And once again, he’s proving himself. The Rams recently dominated the Vikings in the wild-card round. We are witnessing “The McVay Process” unfold again, a method that has led him to two Super Bowls and a victory in one of them. Now, he pulls off a postseason win in Arizona, necessitated by the California wildfires.

This could have been a moment for the Rams to stumble, which would have been understandable. Yet, there was no way McVay would allow that to happen.

“There were definitely plenty of excuses to come out here and be lackluster,” noted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. “But we understood we weren’t just playing for ourselves. We were playing for those back home who needed something to enjoy. I’m grateful we could provide that for them.”

“They represented our city well. Sports can unify people and provide some temporary relief. I believe our team’s performance tonight truly embodied that,” McVay said following the game. “We remained connected and united, showcasing the fight, spirit, and resilience that this team has developed through the challenges faced this season.”

I don’t want to dive into a ranking of coaches. While I can’t specify exactly where McVay stands among the league’s best coaches, I can confidently say there are very few I would choose over him.

McVay strikes a rare balance as a coach in the NFL. He understands his players, who in turn, trust him. He is an exceptional strategist capable of outmaneuvering nearly anyone. Additionally, he’s among the finest communicators in the league.

This week, ESPN revealed some striking statistics. With the Rams’ recent win over Minnesota, McVay has achieved his eighth playoff victory. Notably, he is only 38 years old.

According to ESPN, no other coach in NFL history has won more than five playoff games before turning 40. If this is accurate, it’s truly astonishing.

How long will this impressive run continue? Perhaps the Rams will face defeat against Philadelphia in the divisional round. Maybe McVay will decide to leave after this season, especially if he secures another Super Bowl win. Whatever unfolds, we are witnessing something quite special. It’s reminiscent of a young John Madden.

We may never see anything like it again.

So let’s appreciate it for as long as it lasts.