After the Rams’ date with the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs was cemented Sunday night, Sean McVay turned in. He wanted to make sure he got a full eight hours before he went about the task at hand. “You want to make sure that we’re getting rolling,” McVay said over Zoom on Monday. The Rams (10-7) have a week to prepare for the Vikings (14-3), a team they beat in Week 8 and have plenty of familiarity with given the former Rams staffers now in Minneapolis, first and foremost among them head coach Kevin O’Connell. But the Vikings are among the league’s teams best on both sides of the ball. It’s only by virtue of playing in the winningest division in NFL history that they are stuck this week with a road game at SoFi Stadium. So the Rams aren’t putting too much stock in that data point from 10 weeks ago. “We definitely will use that while also being mindful of what’s gone on as of late,” McVay said. “That’s always the give and take, understanding that there is a game of inventory against one another. Even though it was a little bit earlier in the season, you have to be cognizant of that. You also have to see, alright, how have they evolved and adapted as the season has gone on? A couple of different guys that they have just from a health perspective who are available.” The Rams still have final roster preparations to make. Right tackle Rob Havenstein (shoulder) is on track to play Monday night. The veteran did not practice last week as the Rams tried to avoid any kind of aggravation, but McVay and VP of sports medicine Reggie Scott have been pleased with his progress. As of his media call on Monday, McVay was still waiting to meet with Scott to get a final injury update from Sunday’s 30-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Running back Blake Corum has already been ruled out for the playoffs with a fractured forearm, while tight end Hunter Long left the game with a knee injury. Following a meeting with Scott, McVay will be able to finalize any decision about bringing safety John Johnson III or linebacker Troy Reeder off of injured reserve for the postseason, determining whether they would be a part of the Rams’ 48-man active roster on game day or not. Related Articles Los Angeles Rams | Alexander: Rams’ Sean McVay will match wits with former assistant in Vikings’ O’Connell Los Angeles Rams | Rams playoff primer: An early look at the Minnesota Vikings Los Angeles Rams | Rams stand ready for challenge as they enter playoffs Los Angeles Rams | Rams RB Kyren Williams primed for playoffs after first healthy season Los Angeles Rams | Seattle Seahawks at Rams: Who has the edge? Beyond that, the focus turns to the Vikings. By virtue of the Monday night kickoff, the Rams will have a full week to prepare for the rematch. It’s helpful, but McVay doesn’t want the nature of the schedule to have any unintended consequences on the coaching staff’s work. “You want to make sure you don’t overcook it either, having an extra day,” McVay said. “I think it’s about let’s get a good, tight plan together. Let’s make sure that we have answers, but ultimately a clarity for our players first and foremost and then the ability for them to go cut it loose.” That precision is important with a young team. The second-year players experienced the postseason following the 2023 season, but for the 15 rookies on the active roster, this will be their first taste. “They’ve played in big-time games, but it ramps up. It’s important to embrace the challenge, embrace the great atmosphere and environment that they’ve earned the right to go compete in,” McVay said. “You talk about it. These guys will feel it. I think they’ll be juiced to just go play a little bit better because of the work that they’ll put in throughout the course of this week.”