Sean McVay and Matt LaFleur are two of the most successful coaches in the NFL. They also happen to be two of the youngest.
Their paths cross when the Rams face the Packers at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on Fox. McVay and LaFleur have a coaching tie that dates back to their time together on the Rams' staff. It is a testament to the successful youth movement among NFL coaches.
Sporting News takes a closer look at McVay, LaFleur and a coaching matchup that could be a part of the NFC playoff picture for years to come.
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Who is the youngest coach in the NFL?
McVay, 34, is the youngest active coach in the NFL. There are nine coaches in the NFL who are 42 years old or younger. LaFleur, 41, is the sixth-youngest coach in the league as of Jan. 16, 2021. Here is a closer look at the youngest coaches in the NFL:
| NAME | BIRTHDATE | AGE |
| Sean McVay, Rams | 1/24/86 | 34 |
| Zac Taylor, Bengals | 5/10/83 | 37 |
| Kevin Stefanski, Browns | 5/8/82 | 38 |
| Brian Flores, Dolphins | 2/24/81 | 39 |
| Joe Judge, Giants | 12/31/81 | 39 |
| Matt LaFleur, Packers | 11/3/79 | 41 |
| Kyle Shanahan, 49ers | 12/14/79 | 41 |
| Kliff Kingsbury, Cardinals | 8/9/79 | 41 |
| Matt Nagy, Bears | 4/24/78 | 42 |
Sean McVay's coaching record
McVay took over the Rams in 2017. In four seasons, he has compiled a 43-21 record in the regular season and a 3-2 record in the postseason. Los Angeles has the fifth-best record in the NFL in that stretch behind New Orleans (52-18), Kansas City (52-18), New England (48-23) and Baltimore (45-22).
In 2018, McVay led the Rams to a berth in Super Bowl XLIII, where Los Angeles lost 13-3 to New England.
The Rams missed the playoffs last season, but they finished 10-6 this year behind the league's top-ranked defense. Los Angeles beat Seattle 30-20 in the NFC Wild Card round. Aaron Donald is a candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Matt LaFleur's coaching record
LaFleur took over the Packers in 2019. In two seasons, has a 26-6 record in the regular season and a 1-1 record in the playoffs. Green Bay has the second-best record in the NFL in that stretch behind Kansas City (29-6).
The Packers made the NFC championship game last season before losing 37-20 to the San Francisco 49ers.
Green Bay had the best record in the NFC this season at 13-3. The Packers are the top seed in the conference, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a leading candidate for the NFL MVP award.
LaFleur was an assistant for McVay
LaFleur served as the offensive coordinator for the Rams under McVay in 2017. The Rams finished 10-6 that season before losing 26-13 to Atlanta in the NFC wild-card round.
The Rams led the NFL with 29.9 points per game and finished 10th at 361.5 yards per game that season. LaFleur left to become the offensive coordinator for Tennessee for one season before taking the head-coaching job with Green Bay.
Strength-on-strength matchup
LaFleur and McVay meet head-to-head for the first time in a strength-on-strength matchup.
The Packers lead the NFL with 31.8 points per game, and Rodgers has benefited from a second year in LaFleur's offensive system. Rodgers finished with 4,299 passing yards, 48 TDs and five interceptions. Davante Adams added 115 catches for 1,374 yards and 18 TDs.
The Rams led the NFL with a defense that allowed just 18.5 points per game. Donald had 13.5 sacks this season, and Jalen Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. McVay said that Jared Goff, who underwent thumb surgery after a loss to Seattle in Week 16, will remain the starting quarterback.
