Inside Sean McVay's playoff record, Super Bowl history as Rams coach seeks second title at age 38

At just 38, Sean McVay has already put together an impressive resume that rivals some of the best coaches.

McVay became the Rams head coach in 2017 at the age of 30, becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history. Still, he would prove to be the right hire for Los Angeles, as his first eight years in charge have been incredibly successful.

The Rams have made the playoffs six times under McVay, and the head coach has a chance to win his second championship already. Ahead of Los Angeles' matchup against the Eagles on Sunday, The Sporting News examines McVay's playoff record in his young career.

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Sean McVay playoff record

In his eight-year coaching career, McVay has coached in 12 playoff games over the course of six seasons and recorded an 8-4 record. Here's a breakdown of McVay's playoff wins and losses:

2018 playoffs

McVay's playoff debut came in January of 2018 when the Rams hosted a game as a No. 3 seed against the Falcons. While Los Angeles came in as the NFC West champion, it didn't have the playoff experience of Atlanta, who made the Super Bowl the year prior. Ultimately, the Falcons beat the Rams 26-13. 

2019 playoffs

In his second year as a head coach, McVay showed growth in the playoffs. The Rams earned a bye as a No. 2 seed and opened the postseason against the Cowboys, proving too much for Dallas. Los Angeles took a 20-7 lead into halftime and outlasted the Cowboys 30-22.

The following week, the Rams traveled to New Orleans to play the Saints in an NFC championship game that was mired in controversy. The Rams were trailing late in the fourth quarter when the officials missed a pass interference call on Los Angeles that led to the Rams tying the game and winning in overtime.

McVay made his first Super Bowl in 2019, but he was no match for Bill Belichick on the other sidelines. The Patriots stifled the Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl 53, as McVay's offense couldn't get anything going.

2021 playoffs

After missing the playoffs the previous year, the Rams returned to the postseason as a wild card in 2021. They proved to be a dangerous team, as they went on the road to upset the NFC West champions Seahawks 30-20 even though Seattle had just three losses entering the game.

However, the Rams couldn't keep the fortune going the following week when they had to travel to Green Bay. The top-seeded Packers were too much for McVay's Rams, as Green Bay won 32-18 to end the Rams' season in what would become Jared Goff's last game as a Ram.  

2022 playoffs

After trading for Matthew Stafford before the season, the Rams won the division and hosted the Cardinals in the first round as a No. 4 seed. Los Angeles' defense dominated Arizona in SoFi Stadium, cruising to a 32-11 win to begin their playoff run.

McVay went on the road the next week for a big test against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. The Rams got out to a 20-3 halftime lead, but Tampa Bay would tie the game at 27 late in the fourth quarter. However, Stafford found Cooper Kupp deep with under 30 seconds left in the game, and Matt Gay kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to escape with a win.

Since the No. 6 seed 49ers also made the NFC championship game, the Rams got to host the matchup against their division rival. San Francisco appeared in control with a 17-7 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Rams scored 13 unanswered points in the final frame to win the NFC.

In his second Super Bowl, McVay faced the Bengals while playing the game at home in SoFi Stadium. The Rams scored the game's first touchdown and took a three-point lead into halftime, but the Bengals grabbed the lead in the second half and kept it for most of the period. However, Stafford and Kupp again took the game over, scoring a late game-winning touchdown to secure McVay's first championship.

2024 playoffs

McVay's worst season as a head coach came the year after winning the Super Bowl, but he rebounded last season with a 10-7 record and wild-card berth. The Rams played the Lions in Detroit in the postseason, and they played the NFC North champions close throughout the game. However, the Lions beat the Rams 24-23 to end Los Angeles' season

2025 playoffs

The Rams won the division this year for the fourth time in McVay's tenure, but they faced a tough test against the 14-3 Vikings. However, despite the game being moved to Arizona, Los Angeles dominated on defense as they forced two turnovers and beat Minnesota 27-9.

Los Angeles will try to keep their season alive this weekend when they play the Eagles in the divisional round.

Has Sean McVay won a Super Bowl?

McVay is a Super Bowl-winning head coach, as he led the Rams to victory in Super Bowl 56.

Since taking over as the Rams head coach in 2017, McVay has made the Super Bowl twice, once during the 2018 season and again in the 2021 campaign. The first time around, McVay's Rams got stifled but the Patriots, as New England defeated Los Angeles 13-3 in Super Bowl 53.

A lot changed in between McVay's two Super Bowl appearances, mainly his quarterback. Jared Goff was the signal-caller in 2018, but the Rams traded him for Matthew Stafford before the 2021 season. That quarterback change proved to be shrewd, as McVay and Stafford led the Rams to their first title since 1999.

In Super Bowl 56, McVay coached the Rams in a tight game against the Bengals, but Los Angeles came out on top 23-20. With the win, McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.

Sean McVay coaching record

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