I put quotes around the word "loss" because the Niner's starters beat our 2nd team and depth players. I thought that's what would happen and it doesn't disappoint me in the least.
It is also rather interesting that even so, the Rams retained their #3 seeding and the Saint's their #4. So not one thing changed from before the game except now we know who we're playing in the WC round.
Do you suppose the Rams came out of that game feeling doubt? Or do you suppose they came out feeling "sure glad to have had the week off and nobody got hurt"?
Do you suppose the Saints, who played their starters the whole distance and still LOST to the lousy Bucs, came out of that game feeling "oh well it really didn't change anything" or did they coming out feeling doubt?
Who is better off going into next week's WC round? The Saints who expended so much energy on the final regular season game and no doubt came out with bumps and bruises and now have to play the physical Panthers? Or the Rams who rested their starters and allowed some of their players to get healthy?
For me the perspective is clear: McVay made exactly the right choice to give the Rams the greatest chance to win this next weekend. Whether they do or not is another issue.
I truly don't care who we face in the playoffs. For those worried about playing the Vikes again I say this: if we can't beat the best to win the NFC championship then we have no right to represent the NFC in the Superbowl. If the Vikes are better than us then so be it.
But before that we have to beat a talented Falcons team. Which I'll go on record right now saying that I think we will.
