McVay: Just how good has he really been?

[PARAM]

We know the tale of the tape. 9 years, 8 winning seasons, 7 playoff appearances, 2 Super Bowls, 1 Lombardi, 92-57 (.617) regular season, 10-6 (.625) in the postseason. Awesome right? Not Bill Belichick. Not even Andy Reid. But take a deeper dive and you might find he's been even better than his numbers.

He's coached in the absolute toughest division in the NFL. Sure his success contributes to that ranking but the division as a whole, is better than all the others. So he's been playing that toughest division twice as much as any other. The #2 division is the NFC North and the Rams play them every 3 years, as opposed to every 4 years vs AFC teams. So not only twice as much vs the #1 division but more often vs #2 division, than 4 of the other 7 divisions. Read: It hasn't been easy.

More on the NFC West over the last 9 years.

The NFC West has averaged 2 playoff teams per season. The next closest is the AFC North, surprising enough, with 1.77 postseason teams.
As a division, the West has averaged 35.4 wins per season (almost an average of 9 wins per team). The #2 division (NFC North) averages 34.8 wins and #3 (AFC North & West) 34.2 wins.
Though the NFC North amassed 45 wins in 2024 as a high water mark, and the AFC North (2023) and NFC East (2022) had 43, the NFC West's high is 41 (2025) but they've hit the 40 mark twice (2021, 2025) while no other division has done it more than once.
And finally, 5 of the last 9 NFC Super Bowl representatives have come from the NFC West (2 winning, the Rams and Seattle).

It really hasn't been easy and after everything is considered, his performance is obviously better than just his wins and losses and postseason success. It is a great time to be a Ram fan!

 

[Allen2McVay]

We know the tale of the tape. 9 years, 8 winning seasons, 7 playoff appearances, 2 Super Bowls, 1 Lombardi, 92-57 (.617) regular season, 10-6 (.625) in the postseason. Awesome right? Not Bill Belichick. Not even Andy Reid.

Lots of good stuff in your post.

Just two comments / thoughts.

I believe McVay's record (regular season and playoffs) is better than Andy Reid's first nine seasons.

I am certain McVay's regular season record is better than Belichick's first nine seasons.

 

[methomas50]

All I know is it is going to be a sad day around here when he goes. This is the golden era of Ram FB so enjoy it while it lasts. One more SB win gets a bust in Canton and statue at Sofi.

 

[PARAM]

Here's how often the Rams have played individual teams, including postseason, under McVay.

Seattle 20
San Francisco 19
Arizona 19
New Orleans 8
Philadelphia 7**
Green Bay 6**
Tampa 6**
Dallas 6**
Chicago 6
Detroit 5
Minnesota 5
Baltimore 4
Indianapolis 4
NY Giants 4**
Carolina 4
Atlanta 4
Washington 3**
Buffalo 3**
Cincinnati 3
Jacksonville 3
Houston 3
Tennessee 3
New England 3
Las Vegas 3**
Kansas City 2**
Pittsburgh 2
Denver 2**
LA Chargers 2**
Miami 2
NY Jets 2
Cleveland 2

**games outside division on the schedule in 2026

165 games and we've only played the Jets and Browns 4 times.

 

[PARAM]

I believe McVay's record (regular season and playoffs) is better than Andy Reid's first nine seasons.

I am certain McVay's regular season record is better than Belichick's first nine seasons.

McVay 102-63 (.618) 1 Lombardi
Reid 96-62 (.608) 0 Lombardi's
Belichick 82-70 (.539) 2 Lombardi's

1 coach and 2 teams have more Lombardi's than McVay and the Rams the last 9 years.

 

[Jacobarch]

Here's how often the Rams have played individual teams, including postseason, under McVay.

Seattle 20
San Francisco 19
Arizona 19
New Orleans 8
Philadelphia 7**
Green Bay 6**
Tampa 6**
Dallas 6**
Chicago 6
Detroit 5
Minnesota 5
Baltimore 4
Indianapolis 4
NY Giants 4**
Carolina 4
Atlanta 4
Washington 3**
Buffalo 3**
Cincinnati 3
Jacksonville 3
Houston 3
Tennessee 3
New England 3
Las Vegas 3**
Kansas City 2**
Pittsburgh 2
Denver 2**
LA Chargers 2**
Miami 2
NY Jets 2
Cleveland 2

**games outside division on the schedule in 2026

165 games and we've only played the Jets and Browns 4 times.

That's what happens when you consistently finish in the top.

 

[HitStick]

All I know is it is going to be a sad day around here when he goes. This is the golden era of Ram FB so enjoy it while it lasts. One more SB win gets a bust in Canton and statue at Sofi.

And a shrine in my living room

 

[Merlin]

Best coach in our history. And will say again if he wants to chill I'd open up a front office job just for him. Or clear out a job for him. Guy like him is gonna perform in any role he takes on.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Him and his staff have been excellent at maximizing the fringe talent they identify that fit into the offensive system. It’s why so many players leave here and basically do nothing and disappear into JAG’s.

Look at all of the offensive players that the Rams plug in, look good and then leave and seemingly don’t get better or ascend into stars. Only the true elite talent go on to remain relevant.

This is why Ive said in other threads that our skill positions are “overrated” as individuals but just work as part of the whole. This is pure McVay.

What does Kyren Williams look like starting on another team? I say just a guy. He looks like a franchise back here. What does Colby Parkinson look like on another team? Just a guy. That is pure McVay. Kudos.

 

[FrantikRam]

It hit me the other day that the one thing he has never done was have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

During his tenure, the Niners have gotten the 1 seed twice and Seahawks once.

That changes next year.