Chicago Bears (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears will take on the Los Angeles Rams in week one. The Rams arguably have the best defense in the NFL paired with Bears’ former division opponent Matthew Stafford.
Bears fans and analysts will be quick to use the Rams’ defense, top-ten offensive line, or their star quarterback as evidence as to why the Rams will win week one against the Bears.
While many of those tokens of proof will work extremely well in an argument, they would not trump the true factor that separates the two teams — Sean McVay.
Here’s why:
I think McVay might be as insane as Detroit Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell. Ranging from the fact that he needs a “get back coach” or from him remembering plays from years past, he is one of the best at his job.
As one of the most talented minds in the NFL, McVay has given the Rams a record of 46-21 since the beginning of his tenure, two division championships in one of the hardest divisions in football and a Super Bowl appearance.
Outside of all McVay’s success as a head coach, his most recent interview about his preparations for this week’s game against the Bears speaks levels to his coaching pedigree.
“I think it would be naive for us not to prepare for them to be able to utilize him (Justin Fields) in some form or fashion,” McVay said according to NFL.com. “And then you see the ways that Justin (Fields) made a lot of plays going back to his career at Ohio State (and) what he showed in the preseason. So, I think you got to be ready for either or, but it’s going to be challenge, for sure.”
McVay is doing all the right and inconceivable little things as a head coach. He’s preparing his team for every possible outcome that could unfold on Sunday evening in week one.
However, the fact that McVay believes that Matt Nagy is capable of throwing out an “Andy Dalton starting week one” smokescreen to start Fields is laughable.