Rob Havenstein puts his hand into the grass. Opposite of him Sam Hubbard is grinning after the Bengals' opening drive touchdown: "Looks like you fair-weather captains can't handle Joe Cool."
"We handled him two years ago; we'll handle him again. Don't worry," Havenstein replies confidently. Those cool cats are astonishingly naïve. A good quarterback raises the score, a good coach raises the trophy, Havenstein knows. And there is a good reason Cincinnati has never won one. He on the other hand has the best coach in the game. One that always has a plan.
Ever since Sean McVay has taken over, Los Angeles has been continuously improving. Ok, leaving aside last year with the SuperBowl hangover and all those injuries. But this year the Rams are on their way to the next ring. With a meticulous plan, a master plan. Made by a mastermind. Havenstein has blind trust.
At half time the Bengals are up 38-0. Havenstein enters the locker room confused. "What's the plan, coach?"
"Uh ... Never give up. Hustle, loyalty, respect," McVay answers vaguely.
The Rams lose 59 – 6.
