Sean McVays fingerprints are all over the Rams second-half s

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LOS ANGELES (AP) Safety John Johnson re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams during training camp, when most NFL observers thought this rebuilding team coming off a dismal 5-12 season had only a slim chance of even contending for a playoff spot this year.That didn't deter Johnson, who already knew why nobody should count out the Rams.If weve got Coach McVay, weve got a chance, Johnson said after the Rams (8-7) on Thursday night and moved up to sixth in the NFC playoff picture with their fifth win in six games.Thats how I looked at it, Johnson added. "It's been very few times that we've mi sed the playoffs (under McVay). I think if youve got Coach McVay, youve always got a chance. It wasnt even really (about) the roster for me.ADVERTISEMENT Johnson has been proven right by Sean McVay, who has led a young, depleted roster to the brink of his sixth winning season and fifth King Mack Jersey playoff berth two accomplishments that seemed unlikely even six weeks ago, when Los Angeles was 3-6 at its bye.The youngest coach to win a Super Bowl avoids praise like running back Kyren Williams avoids tackles, preferring to focus the spotlight on the players and a sistants who execute his vision.McVay's staff does deserve ample credit particularly defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who has built a remarkably solid unit out of the spare parts, youngsters and later-round draft picks scattered around Aaron Donald.General manager Les Snead also came through, acquiring four key veteran starters Johnson, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, guard Kevin Dotson and receiver Demarcus Robinson and landing four major contributors in the last draft.The Rams got record-setting receiver Puka Nacua, starting left guard Steve Avila and key defenders Byron Young and Kobie Turner, who have filled the gaping absence of proven pa s rushers by combining for 12 1/2 sacks the top two totals among rookies in the NFL.Perhaps the biggest factor in the Rams' surge is the continued good health of Matthew Stafford. The 15-year veteran is taking fewer hits behind an improved offensive line, and he has put together a string of outstanding performances with 14 TD pa ses in the past five games against one interception none in four straight games.But McVay's creativity is all over the Rams' improvements on offense. He changed the structure of his rushing game, moving from an outside zone to a gap scheme in which Williams and the offensive line have thrived. He introduced dozens of new wrinkles to the pa sing game, particularly in the inventive pre-snap motions that have flummoxed defenses.It's all adding up to a remarkable turnaround if the Rams can finish the regular season by holding onto their playoff spot.It's just a great opportunity, McVay said Friday. These guys have earned the right to play meaningful games into December ... and we've got to keep it rolling, but these guys have done an awesome job.WHAT'S WORKINGStafford has five straight games with a pa ser rating over 103, and McVay's pa sing offense is thriving. nine catches for 164 yards and a TD made him the first rookie in the Super Bowl era with four 150-yard receiving games, and he would've had a second score if Stafford hadn't overthrown him while wide open. Robinson had a season-high 82 yards receiving with a TD in his fourth consecutive game.WHAT NEEDS HELPThe Rams struggled to finish off an opponent for the second straight week, giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns and being forced to run out the clock in a one-po se sion game after taking a huge lead. McVay frequently calls such concerns Champagne problems, but he wants stronger late-game execution.STOCK UPCobie Durant took over at cornerback for the benched Derion Kendrick and played well, allowing only one completion in coverage when against Durant on his touchdown grab. Durant played extensively early in the season, and he provided a significant improvement on Kendrick's recent play in his return to heavy action.STOCK DOWNThe Rams 11 mi sed field goals are the most by any NFL team since 2015, and Lucas Havrisik mi sed his fifth attempt in seven games against the Saints. Yet McVay said the Rams arent going to seek a third kicker and will stick with Havrisik, who has made only two of his last seven attempts beyond 39 yards.INJURIESThe Rams incurred no new injuries on their short week. No key players mi sed Thursday's game or are on injured reserve.KEY NUMBER96.1 Williams' yards rushing per game, which leads the NFL. He jumped into second behind Christian McCaffrey with 1,057 total yards rushing while becoming only the second 1,000-yard rusher with which Stafford has ever played in his 15-year career.NEXT STEPSThe Rams will be rested and prepared to visit the New York Giants on New Year's Eve. Along with the still-to-be-determined playoff race implications, a victory would clinch another winning regular season.___AP NFL: Kadeem Allen Jersey