Every week during the regular season we get an opportunity to talk with the opposing head coach via conference call. This week it was Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. I also scanned the Los Angeles area media websites and the Rams website, to see what else the Rams players and coaches are saying about this week's matchup with the Lions.

Here's what they had to say:

1. McVay was complimentary of the way the Lions' defense has been playing of late after watching them on film. Detroit's defense has given up less that 20 points in each of their last two games against Carolina and Chicago. The Rams average more than 35.0 points per game for the year, so Detroit's defense will certainly be tested this week.

2. Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib has sat out the last nine weeks after undergoing ankle surgery following a Week 3 game. He was designated for return Monday, and could play Sunday in Detroit.

"I feel good," Talib told ESPN after participating in a walkthrough Monday. "The only way you're going to know if you're ready for a game is playing in the game. I'm as good as I can be as far as working out without playing, without competing."

3. McVay gets a lot of credit for Los Angeles' success on offense, and deservedly so, but he says the creativity really comes from a collaboration of offensive coaches with very different backgrounds. They do a good job adjusting scheme to their players' skillsets. McVay said they don't do anything that hasn't been done before, they just have a very open mind to try anything and everything they think can be successful on that side of the ball.

4. Rams run game coordinator Aaron Kromer, who spent time in the AFC East as Buffalo's offensive line coach, said when he looks at the Lions' defensive front it looks exactly the same way it did in New England when Patricia was the defensive coordinator.

"It's the same defense," he said. "Same style of defense. They are going to set the edge. It's a very solid and strong defense upfront."

5. Rams safety John Johnson said the emphasis for the Los Angeles defense this week is eliminating some of the big plays they've given up the first 11 weeks, especially before the bye week against Kansas City. Look for the Rams to try and keep Detroit in front of them in the passing game Sunday.

6. Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh have a really good give and take relationship in the middle of the Rams defensive line, according to McVay. Suh's versatility has really impressed McVay this season, and his presence has been a positive for Donald, who already has a career high 14.5 sacks on the year with five games still remaining.