Sean McVay: 49ers not in Rams' heads despite losing streak

It was earlier this month when Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey insisted the San Francisco 49ers had no "mind control over us" despite San Francisco's recent dominance in the rivalry between the teams. That was before the 49ers erased a 17-0 deficit against the Rams in Week 18 en route to clinching a playoff spot and a sixth consecutive victory over Los Angeles. 

Rams coach Sean McVay was directly asked Wednesday if San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan is in his head as the two prepare for Sunday's NFC Championship Game clash between the clubs. 

"No," McVay responded, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "What I do have is respect for these guys. They've done a great job. You look at it, you got to play well in that three-and-a-half-hour window that we're allotted. You look at the last time that we played them, (we) didn't finish the game. 

"This is a really good football team. We have a lot of respect for them. We're competing and preparing to the best of our ability to go out and see if we can advance. But this is a really good team. Kyle is an excellent coach. They (have) great players, great coaches, good schemes. It's why they're in the NFC Championship."

As The Ringer's Ben Solak noted, McVay and Shanahan worked alongside each other with the Washington Football Team less than a decade ago, but it's Shanahan who has better enjoyed their get-togethers on football fields as of late. The fact that 49ers fans could give their team somewhat of a makeshift "home-field advantage" at SoFi Stadium on Sunday could make McVay's job all the more difficult as he looks to put an end to a losing streak always mentioned by media members whenever these two teams meet these days.