NFC championship game: Rams face Seahawks in drama-laden third act

LOS ANGELES — Jared Verse leaned over the microphone during his Thursday press conference, dripping sweat from the Rams’ first full practice ahead of their NFC championship game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Still catching his breath, the outside linebacker admitted, “The energy’s just different this week.”

“I think everyone’s taking the same approach,” he continued. “Every step you take is a lot more mindful. If you make a mistake on the field, people that beforehand weren’t calling it out are calling it out saying...