The Los Angeles Rams have taken Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s message to Minnesota Vikings ¤coach Kevin O’Connell as a source of motivation heading into their wildcard matchup. After the Lions’ Week 18 victory over the Vikings, Campbell was caught telling O’Connell, “I’ll see you in two weeks,” implying a potential playoff rematch between the NFC North rivals. The Rams have now displayed a screenshot of that message in their locker room to remind their players that they’re being overlooked.
While the Lions and Vikings finished with some of the top records in the NFC, the 10-7 Rams remain a formidable team, having already defeated the 14-3 Vikings earlier this season. In that October win, the Rams defense limited Minnesota to just six points after the first quarter, while Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes. If the Rams can beat the Vikings, they know they can stand their ground against the No. 1-seeded Lions, with the two teams having battled close games in the past.
In addition to Campbell’s message, the Rams are motivated by a sense of pride to represent their city, especially in the wake of devastating fires in Los Angeles County. As a result, the Rams’ game has been relocated to Glendale, Arizona, where coaches will wear ‘LAFD’ shirts and hats to support the Los Angeles Fire Department. The team is also reviving its “LA Together” initiative, which was originally launched after the 2018 fires. Following those tragic events, the Rams went on to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in a historic 54-51 Monday Night Football game. With added motivation from these challenges, the Rams are ready to show they can challenge the top contenders in the playoffs.
