Rams using Dan Campbell’s snub as extra motivation vs. Vikings

Campbell’s post game words to Kevin O’Connell could come back to bite him if LA makes a playoff run

Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay have some extra motivation for their matchup against the Vikings on Monday, hanging a quote from Lions head coach Dan Campbell in their locker room that suggested Minnesota would easily get past LA.

Caught on post-game mics after the Lions victory over the Vikings last week, Campbell was heard telling Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell “We’ll see you guys in two weeks”, insinuating that the two teams will meet in the divisional round, disrespecting and overlooking the Rams who the Vikings need to play first in the Wild Card round.

This seems to have struck a nerve with McVay and the team, who printed a screenshot of the interaction to hang up in the locker room for players and staff to see and remember, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.

The Lions and the Vikings finished with the two of the best records in the NFC, but LA poses a strong challenge to Minnesota as they are the only other team besides Detroit to beat the Vikings this year. The Rams took down Minnesota 30-20 in Week 8, holding their offense to just six points after the first quarter. QB Matthew Stafford also threw for four touchdowns against the top-ranked Brian Flores defense.

The Rams probably did not need anymore motivation to win for the city of Los Angeles, as uncontrolled wild fires still rage through the state, however this will only add more incentive for the team as they prepare for their Monday night showdown. It would also be an added storyline if LA was to make a playoff run and meet Detroit again down the road.

Players and coaches will be sporting “LAFD” shirts and hats in support of the Los Angeles Fire Department and the team has brought back their “LA Together” slogan from when the city dealt with fires back in 2018. After the fires in 2018, the Rams went on to beat the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs on Monday Night Football 54-51, honoring the city in what some would argue was one of the greatest regular season football games of all time.

The Rams have the ability to hang with any team in the NFL, as clubs like the Vikings and Buffalo Bills already know, so added motivation is probably not the thing Minnesota wants to see, especially when it was caused by a rival coaches words. Most-likely Campbell was just trying to be polite to O’Connell, but he should have phrased it differently because he just handed LA major bulletin board material.