INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay sprinted the length of the sideline, eager to join his players' celebration.
It was late in the first half of the regular-season finale, and tight end Tyler Higbee just caught a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the Rams a commanding 17-0 lead over the San Francisco 49ers.
McVay smacked receiver Cooper Kupp's helmet, then delivered Higbee a blistering high-five before an official directed him to return to the sideline.
That's how quickly McVay and the Rams appeared to believe, perhaps for valid reason, that they were on their way to clinching the NFC West, earning the No.