UnNews:Rams rest starters in first half of playoff game
January 16, 2025
IngleWOOOOOOD, CA — Just like he did in the season finale with enormous playoff implications, Sean McVay has decided to play it safe in the first half of the Rams' playoff game on Sunday. With a spot in the second half of the game clinched and no chance of playing the second half at home, McVay is going to rest some of his starters in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He announced on Wednesday that Matthew Stafford won’t play the first half and that Jimmy Garoppolo will start, but he added to the list of resting starters during Thursday's media session. He told reporters that Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Kyren Williams, Kevin Dotson, and Alaric Jackson will also sit out the first half.
Reporters pointed out that playing it safe might make their road to the Super Bowl slightly more challenging, just like when they took the 4th seed instead of playing for the 3rd seed, which McVay acknowledged when explaining his thought process:
“Does it matter if we have to face a much tougher opponent? No. Does it matter if we have fewer home games? No. Does it matter if we start the second half down by a few touchdowns? No. Those are situations where we only have something to play for in theory. Those are not must-win situations. We've already punched our ticket to the second half of the game, therefore, we rest our starters, but only the cool guys that I party with, everyone else is expendable.”
McVay is wisely taking a safe approach instead of going all out before he really needs his team to perform. Health is critical to postseason success, so fighting for the easiest path to the Super Bowl is a foolish waste of time and energy.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- "Rams make questionable decision to rest starters in Week 18" FanSided, January 4, 2025
- "Sean McVay has decided to play it safe" RamsWire, January 3, 2025
