Sean McVay has 42 more wins than trips around the sun. He’s only 38 years old but he’s now the winningest head coach in the rich history of the Los Angeles Rams. The win that got him there, No. 80 on Thursday night over the Vikings, may have been one of the sweetest.
Sweet because McVay had his two incendiary wide receivers – Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua – on the same field for just the second time this season. The two playmakers returned from injury and combined for 12 catches, 157 yards and a touchdown to lead Los Angeles (3-4) to an impressive 30-20 win over Minnesota (5-2).
While Kupp’s return from a sprained ankle was expected, Nacua’s appearance was a surprise when the team activated him prior to the game. Matthew Stafford said he’d only thrown Nacua 1-2 passes since the receiver injured his knee in the Week 1 loss at Detroit, and Nacua saw little practice this week. But not only did Nacua play, he moved the chains on six of his receptions – including a gorgeous catch on a third-quarter drive that set up DeMarcus Robinson’s second touchdown. McVay, who said getting his players back was more about return to performance rather than simply returning to play, got a memorable performance from Nacua.
“He’s a war daddy. He’s a stud,” McVay said. “I love his play-energy and what he brings. He was ready to go tonight, and he made a big impact on the game.”
McVay made a big impact on the game, too, as well as the Rams. His franchise-record win Thursday broke the mark held by John Robinson (79) and made McVay only the second head coach since the 1970 league merger to hold that distinction for a franchise prior to turning 40. The only other coach to do it was 36-year-old John Madden for the Raiders in 1972.
And don’t discount the Rams’ win for a missed facemask that stole much of the spotlight in the aftermath. The suddenly relevant Rams (3-4) are not only healing after a ridiculous rash of injuries earlier in the year, they’re also resting. They have a mini-bye before heading to Seattle on Nov. 3, when Los Angeles could be playing for a share of first place.
Los Angeles has won three of its last five. And at least for two days until the 49ers (3-4) and Cardinals (3-4) are in action on Sunday, the Rams are in a three-way tie for second place behind the Seahawks (4-3) in the NFC West.
The Rams will see former linebacker Ernest Jones, traded to Seattle from Tennessee this week, when they line up at Lumen Field.
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