Had a laugh with the head coach this week about the Jags and going to London and the memory of his first season, 2017.
Like this week, the Rams were coming off a win, planning to stay out east, then jump across the pond for an International Series contest.
If you remember that win in Jacksonville, however, you might recall how livid McVay was with the 27-17 triumph. For a game that started with a 103-yard kick return for a touchdown and also included a blocked punt for another score, the disappointment was palpable.
For the head coach and play-caller, he was admittedly too engrossed with the lackluster offensive day – just 249 total yards, a lost fumble, three sacks taken. Even looking back on it, it doesn’t seem too egregious – but I’ll never forget it, and McVay remembers everything.
Well, here we are again in present day. The defense beat Baltimore in Week 6, and the offense didn’t cost them the golden opportunity against the Ravens, and now it’s off to the UK. This time around, however, McVay is smiling, even though he knows he might be short-handed in London without Puka Nacua.
“I like to think that I’m maturing a little bit, growing up,” the not-yet-40-year-old said, pointing out that his offense didn’t attempt a single pass in last week’s fourth quarter. “I’ve leaned into understanding the importance of team football.”
Make no mistake, however. Behind that grin is a determination to convert some truly dominant offensive moments into more points, perhaps as soon as Sunday.