As the Los Angeles Rams prepare for their NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Chicago Bears, the team is stressing the importance of maintaining consistent performance throughout the entire game. While fourth-quarter comebacks have defined parts of the Rams’ season, players and coaches agree that relying on late-game rallies is not a sustainable recipe for postseason success.
Head coach Sean McVay has emphasized the need for complete execution over all four quarters. “We’ve had moments this year where our resilience showed, but in the playoffs, you can’t afford slow starts or lapses,” McVay said earlier this week. “Our goal is to play great football for 60 minutes.”
The Rams, who are coming off a hard-fought Wild Card victory, know they’ll be facing a tough opponent in Chicago. The Bears secured their spot in the Divisional Round with a strong defensive showing last weekend, and their home-field advantage in what’s expected to be cold January weather could present additional challenges for Los Angeles.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford echoed McVay’s sentiments, noting the importance of setting the tone early. “You want to come out and be sharp right away—offensively, defensively, and on special teams,” Stafford said. “We’ve seen what we can do when we play the way we’re capable of, but putting it together for all four quarters is what we’re striving for.”
The Los Angeles defense, which has made key stops late in games throughout the season, will aim to start strong against a Chicago offense that mixes physical running with timely passing. Defensive lineman Aaron Donald highlighted the need to disrupt the Bears’ rhythm early. “We can’t wait until the second half to turn it on,” he said. “We’ve got to be locked in from the first snap.”
As the Rams continue preparations at their practice facility, the message remains consistent: deliver a complete performance. With a spot in the NFC Championship Game on the line, Los Angeles is determined to show that it can play its best football for all 60 minutes on Sunday in Chicago.
