Los Angeles Rams' Sean McVay: 'We've Got Our Work Cut Out For Us' vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay and Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin have been compared numerous times in the past due to their tremendous success through the headset at a young age.
Both teams have shown flashes of good things to come this season, but it seems like the Steelers are significantly better on one side of the ball than the other.
McVay spoke about Tomlin's "high-level" operation on the defensive side of the ball during Wednesday's press conference, as two of their pass-rushers are some of the best in the NFL.
“You look at (2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J.) Watt and (linebacker Alex) Highsmith off the edges. They've got excellent depth behind them," McVay said. "They can push the pocket interior wise and they do a great job of playing hard on all three levels and they can do it in a variety of ways. And a lot of times when they're creating that pressure, it's just coming off of a four-man rush."
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay and Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rushers T.J. Watt (90) and Alex Highsmith (56).
Nevertheless, McVay admitted that "we've got our work cut out for us," but explained the best way to continue carrying out the gameplan before Watt and Highsmith reach the backfield.
"I think it's going to be incredibly important to be efficient on those early downs and not get into some of those situations where they can really pin their ears back and dictate the terms," McVay said. "That makes it really difficult against excellent players, great schemes. It'll be good. That's what you love.”
The Rams' defense has far exceeded expectations in the first six weeks, as they're in the better half in points and yards allowed. The Steelers offense is in the bottom tier for multiple categories, including points and yards per game.
Sunday's matchup will likely be decided by how Los Angeles counters Pittsburgh's pass rush.
