INGLEWOOD, CA — One week after a signature road win in Philadelphia against the Eagles in a hostile environment, the Los Angeles Rams had a chance to stack another one against the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Instead, they lost 37-34 in overtime, and head coach Sean McVay quickly made clear who he felt was responsible.
“That’s on me,” McVay said post game.
The Rams were in position to win in overtime. On third-and-5, a play call that will be second-guessed all week fell short, setting up fourth down. Los Angeles then sent out kicker Harrison Mevis for a 48-yard field goal after choosing not to go for it on fourth down, which would have won the game and tied the Rams with division rival Seattle in the NFC West.
Greg Rousseau blocked the kick. The block didn’t just end the Rams’ possession. It sent the ball back to Buffalo, and Tyler Bass made a 45-yard field goal to win it for the Bills.
McVay: “I’m Sick Right Now With Myself”
McVay was clear about where he put the blame. He pointed to his own third-down decision-making and the choice to kick on fourth down rather than go for it.
“I wish I would have had a better play call going forward, got it a lot tighter. I’m sick right now with myself,” McVay said. “And I’m so proud of that group. This is the tough part of sports, but I’m proud of that team. I’m proud of the way that we battled, and I’m sick that we came up short.“
He expressed that he will carry the decision with him as he took full responsibility for the team’s loss.
“I’ll be regretting kicking that and not having a better call to be able to go for it on third down and go to fourth, or whatever it was. That’s on me,” McVay said. “I’m going to evaluate everything.”
McVay was just as emphatic that the loss should not erase the effort. The Rams battled Buffalo through four quarters and into overtime in a penalty-filled game, and he kept returning to how his players competed.
That fight is what makes the ending sting. The same L.A. team howed the same resilience against another playoff-caliber opponent, only to be undone by one stretch of overtime. The stakes were clear going in. A win would have tied the Rams with Seattle in the NFC West. Instead, Los Angeles heads into the week looking up at the Seahawks and 49ers, with little time to dwell on it.
The Rams will regroup and urgently try to correct their mistakes before hosting the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday at SoFi Stadium. McVay’s closing line, that he’ll evaluate everything, points to possible changes, and how the Rams respond will say a lot about where this season is headed.
