Los Angeles Rams Coach Sean McVay 'Really Pissed Off!' Over Decision in Win vs. Washington Commanders
The Los Angeles Rams held a lead for the final 52-plus minutes in Sunday's 28-20 win over the Washington Commanders inside SoFi Stadium.
A late push from the Commanders nearly jeopardized that, but the Rams made enough plays down the stretch to walk away victorious - but coach Sean McVay wasn't all smiles and joy when reflecting Monday.
However, it wasn't the fourth quarter that irked McVay - it was a sequence on Los Angeles' opening offensive possession, in which the Rams had the ball 1st and Goal at the Commanders' 4-yard line.
A six-yard carry by running back Kyren Williams pushed Los Angeles into prime scoring position - but McVay opted to put the ball in quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp's hands.
That's normally a potent formula ... but not this time.
Instead, Kupp was dropped for a three-yard loss, which derailed the 11-play, 77-yard drive and forced Los Angeles to settle for a field goal, all the while leaving McVay displeased.
“The main thing I was really pissed off about myself was the first down and five call on the first drive,” McVay said. “There are always going to be some things you can get into, but we had run it really well on the previous play. We had run it really well on that drive. When you take a negative right there, didn't need to do that.
“I thought that was a really poor play call that set us behind the sticks.”
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay watches from the sidelines in the second half against the Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium.
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Rams had an overall successful day offensively, posting 445 total yards while gaining 23 first downs and converting nine of 16 attempts on third down.
But there were several miscues littered along the way, including Williams' redzone fumble on the second drive of the game, another fumble from Williams just past midfield with a minute to play in the first half and kicker Lucas Havrisik's missed 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Still, the Rams persevered, claiming their fourth win in five tries since returning from the bye week and at 7-7 sliding into a four-way tie for the NFC's final two wildcard spots with three games left.
It was, by all accounts, a quality day for McVay's team - but he's left pondering his early-game play call that he feels cost his team four points.
“There are a lot of instances of things that you can always do better,” McVay said. “But I thought that first sequence in particular that we ended up having to settle for a field goal, the way that our guys were playing, the way we were able to run it, the way Matthew was seeing the field ...
“I could have put them in a better spot that I think would've led to seven instead of three.”
McVay and the Rams will get a quick turnaround to right their wrongs, as they're set to host the New Orleans at 5:15 p.m. PST Thursday Night inside SoFi Stadium. ... with hopes that the coach will have nothing to be "pissed off'' about in the nationally televised game.
