Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay will not travel with the team to Arizona for Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals due to an illness, the team announced. While the specifics of his illness have not been disclosed, McVay is flying separately as a precaution to avoid exposing players on the team flight. NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz and ESPN confirmed that McVay is expected to coach from the sideline against the 3-9 Cardinals at 4:25 p.m. ET. Despite the illness and a lingering torn plantar fascia sustained earlier this season, McVay maintains his leadership role as the Rams seek to bounce back from last week’s 31-28 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Rams Remain Dominant in NFC West
The 9-3 Rams are still tied with the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West, bolstered by a Week 11 victory over Seattle that included four interceptions against quarterback Sam Darnold. Quarterback Matthew Stafford continues his MVP-caliber campaign, completing 266 of 401 passes for 3,073 yards and a 32-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Running back Kyren Williams has been a consistent ground threat with 868 yards on the season at 4.74 yards per carry and seven touchdowns, while Puka Nacua has excelled as a tough, reliable target in traffic, catching 86 passes for 1,019 yards and four touchdowns.
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Week 7 Injury Sparks Offensive Transformation
McVay’s strategic ingenuity was particularly evident starting in Week 7, when Nacua missed a game due to injury. To compensate, McVay leaned heavily on 13 personnel—one running back, three tight ends, and one wide receiver—dramatically reshaping the Rams’ offensive identity. The package has been a scoring powerhouse, producing 16 touchdowns on 130 plays (12.3% TD rate) with an EPA per play of +0.145, the highest among all personnel groupings.
Red Zone and Critical Down Dominance
13 personnel has proven most effective in the red zone, used on 27% of scoring position plays and accounting for 38.46% of all Rams red zone touchdowns. McVay has also relied on the package in critical situations, including 4th-down plays, where it has produced a 50% touchdown rate and a staggering +1.179 EPA per play. The formation’s run-heavy design (66% run rate) is balanced by an efficient passing attack, gaining 274 yards on 43 completions, averaging 6.37 yards per pass. First down success remains comparable to traditional 11 personnel, demonstrating the versatility and reliability of McVay’s adjustments.
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McVay’s Mastery in Adversity
Between his current illness, the foot injury, and Nacua’s absence earlier in the season, McVay has had to adapt both his presence on the sideline and his offensive strategy. The shift to 13 personnel has transformed the Rams from a primarily pass-heavy team to a dynamic, run-dominant offense that thrives in high-leverage situations. This flexibility underscores McVay’s reputation as one of the league’s most innovative coaches, capable of turning personnel challenges into strategic advantages.
As the Rams travel to Arizona, the combination of Stafford’s brilliance, a dominant 13 personnel package, and McVay’s coaching acumen leaves the team well-positioned to maintain NFC West supremacy and keep their playoff aspirations firmly on track.
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