Rams' Sean McVay Takes Blame for 'Bad Call' in OT Loss, Put Players in 'S--tty Spot'

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is taking the blame for the fourth-down play call in overtime that was unsuccessful in their 26-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters after the game, McVay explained it was a "bad call by me" for putting the players in a "s--tty spot" that made things more difficult than they needed to be.

Faced with a fourth-and-1 from the 49ers' 11-yard line, McVay opted to hand the ball to Kyren Williams in an attempt to convert and keep the drive alive. San Francisco's defense swarmed the line and stuffed the run to end the game.

The Rams had an opportunity to kick a field goal for the tie to extend the game in that spot, but doing so would have given San Francisco possession with the next score winning.

It's hard to fault McVay for the decision to go for it. The Rams were deep in the red zone and were having tremendous success moving the ball against the 49ers defense throughout the second half.

Their biggest issue throughout the game was execution, even before the final fourth-down call failed. They left 10 points on the board in the second half with a missed field goal and a Williams fumble at San Francisco's one-yard line with 1:07 remaining that would have given them the lead.

▶️ Full 49ers-Rams Recap

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Even going back to the first half, trailing 14-0, the Rams got down to the 49ers' 24-yard line when they attempted a pitch to Blake Corum that hit off his fingers and was recovered by San Francisco defensive lineman Trevis Gipson. They also had an extra-point attempt blocked that kept the game tied at 20 in the fourth quarter.

Despite the loss, the Rams offense continues to look like a machine when they aren't tripping over themselves. Matthew Stafford finished 30-of-47 for 389 yards and three touchdowns.

Puka Nacua and Davante Adams combined for 15 receptions, 173 yards and one touchdown.

It's still early enough into the season that there's no reason for the Rams to panic, but their two losses this season came when they failed to execute in high-leverage situations. They were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 on a blocked field goal at the end of regulation.

If the Rams continue to have these types of situational struggles, it could derail their hopes of being a top-tier contender in the NFC. Thursday's loss moved them behind the 49ers (4-1) and Seattle Seahawks (3-2) in the NFC West standings.

Los Angeles will have a few extra days to regroup before a Week 6 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Oct. 12.