LOS ANGELES Bill it as a possible Super Bowl preview, a matchup between the NFLs two highest-scoring teams.
Tonights game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, originally scheduled for Mexico City, took a circuitous route to the Coliseum, site of the leagues first Super Bowl.
Now the stadium will be the center of the football universe, a prime-time showcase for two 9-1 teams and next-generation stars such as quarterbacks Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes and running backs Todd Gurley and Kareem Hunt.
I guess its the game of the year, said the Rams Gurley, the league leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. Everybodys excited, pumped up fans, coaches, players.
Its the best of the best on the big stage Monday night. Its time to go out there and showcase and put on.
The Rams and Chiefs have been displaying their offensive prowess and ingenuity throughout the first 10 weeks of the season.
The Rams only defeat was a 45-35 Week 8 loss at New Orleans. The Chiefs lost to the New England Patriots, 43-40, in Week 6 at New England.
But the Rams and Chiefs will arrive at the Coliseum for Monday Night Football having traveled very different recent paths.
The day after they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10, the Rams left Southern California for Colorado to prepare at altitude for their role as the home team in an International Series game against the Chiefs at Mexico Citys Azteca Stadium.
But the morning after coach Sean McVay and his players arrived in Colorado Springs, the NFL switched the game to the Coliseum, citing poor field conditions.
The Rams decided to stay put before returning Saturday night to a Southland region that continues to cope with the aftermath of a mass shooting in Thousand Oaks and deadly fires that destroyed homes and forced the evacuations of thousands, including many Rams and coaches and their families.
The Rams said they have worked with community partners to distribute thousands of free tickets to first responders and fans affected by the shooting and the fires.
Moving the game from Mexico to the Coliseum was bittersweet, Goff said.
I was excited to experience that culture and that international game, but with that being said, getting back in front of our home fans, especially with all that happened last week and being able to do some stuff for the first responders is pretty special, he said.
Said offensive lineman Rodger Saffold: Its been nuts, its really been a roller coaster. … But every time weve had to go through adversity, weve answered the bell. Now we have the full force of our fans behind us at home, so were excited.
The stadium vibe will be emotionally charged as the Rams take on perhaps their toughest opponent of the season, a Chiefs team that did not have to break routine by preparing in Kansas City.
