While the NFL world was ready for another postseason classic, a defensive showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears was a bit surprising in the final matchup of the Divisional Round.
The Rams had the better offense and defense according to PFSN’s Offense and Defense Impact Metric but some questionable coaching decisions from head coach Sean McVay seemed to hold Los Angeles back, and the NFL world was quick to let him hear it.
NFL World Flames Rams HC Sean McVay’s Playcalling
Despite PFSN ranking the Rams’ offense as the top-rated offense according to OFFi, McVay and the Rams’ offense struggled at Soldier Field against the Bears in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. McVay has long been looked to as an offensive genius, but his inability to adjust to the game script has seemed to doom the Rams against Chicago.
After an inconsistent offensive performance against the Carolina Panthers during Wild Card Weekend, the Rams’ offense gained just 280 yards through four quarters, with the rushing attack failing to cross the 100-yard mark. Given yet another incredible season from running back Kyren Williams, the NFL world was puzzled by the Rams’ offensive performance.
Sports Illustrated writer Matt Verderame couldn’t believe what he was watching from the Rams coaching staff, explaining, “I have no idea what Sean McVay is doing. If the Rams lose, he wears a ton of this. You get a turnover at midfield and don’t run once on a brutally cold night when none of your WRs can get open.”
I have no idea what Sean McVay is doing. If the Rams lose, he wears a ton of this.
You get a turnover at midfield and don’t run once on a brutally cold night when none of your WRs can get open
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) January 19, 2026
The Rams secured a 20-17 overtime win, but it required brilliance from Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams.
On the night, the Rams quarterback completed 20 of 48 passes for 258 yards while being sacked four times for 29 yards. This is despite running backs Williams and Blake Corum averaging 4.1 and 3.2 yards, respectively.
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While the playcalling would persist the whole game, Warren Sharp Football would point out the questionable decision in the first half, pointing out on X, “This is insane playcalling from McVay in the first half. 27 Stafford dropbacks. 7 RB runs. In a game the Rams led or were tied for 29 of 30 minutes in the 1st half. McVay is shook. Blake Corum has 1 rush attempt? This is crazy.”
this is insane playcalling from McVay in the first half
27 Stafford dropbacks
7 RB runsin a game the Rams led or were tied for 29 of 30 minutes in the 1st half
McVay is shook
Blake Corum has 1 rush attempt?
this is crazy
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 19, 2026
Many consider McVay to be the end-all be-all of offensive playcalling in the NFL, with a decent-sized coaching tree at 39 years old. However, many fans couldn’t believe what they were watching in the Divisional Round as Henry Ettinger said, “Sean McVay might be the best play caller in the NFL, and I’m just a guy on my couch but I cannot understand for the life of me the 11 runs vs 30 passes split against a team that can’t stop the run.”
Sean McVay might be the best play caller in the NFL and I’m just a guy on my couch but I cannot understand for the life of me the 11 runs vs 30 passes split against a team that can’t stop the run
— Henry Ettinger (@hedging_henry) January 19, 2026
Even Rams columnist Blaine Grisak couldn’t fathom what he was watching after the Rams offense took over late in the third quarter at the 50-yard line with a chance to put the game away, explaining, “Rams take over at the 50. McVay calls three straight passes. Three straight Stafford incompletions. Absolutely zero feel for this game from a play-calling standpoint. It’s unbelievably bad.”
Rams take over at the 50
McVay calls three straight passes. Three straight Stafford incompletions.
Absolutely zero feel for this game from a play-calling standpoint. It’s unbelievably bad.
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) January 19, 2026
It’s confusing, as not only has Williams looked good against the Bears in the Divisional Round, but he also had another fantastic regular season campaign in 2025. In 17 games, Williams turned 259 carries into 1,252 yards and ten touchdowns. He also caught 36 of 50 targets for 281 yards and three more trips to the end zone.
Radio host Mark Schlereth couldn’t help but think about Williams’ season, along with his nice outing against the Bears in the Divisional Round, posting, “Williams is averaging 5 yards per carry. RUN THE BALL MCVAY!”
Williams is averaging 5 yards per carry. RUN THE BALL MCVAY!
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) January 19, 2026
While McVay got bailed out thanks to his defense, the Rams have put up two concerning offensive performances in the playoffs so far.
In the upcoming NFC Championship game, they will face PFSN’s third-ranked defense, the Seattle Seahawks, according to the Defense Impact metric. McVay will need to make some adjustments much sooner before Seattle’s defense makes its mark.
