Matthew Stafford Backs Sean McVay's 4th-Down OT Call, 'I Love That We Went For It'

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is not questioning head coach Sean McVay's decision to go for it on fourth down in overtime during the team's 26-23 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

After the Niners made a field goal on the first possession of OT, the Rams had a chance to tie or win the game. Rather than settling for a field goal attempt on fourth-and-1 at the 49ers' 11-yard line, the Rams went for it, but running back Kyren Williams was stuffed at the line to end the game.

When asked how he felt about going for it in that situation, Stafford made it clear that he was completely in favor of it, telling reporters, "I love that we went for it. We're not playing for a tie. Let's go. Just wish we would have kept the drive alive and found a way to score."

Stafford even supported the play call despite it not working, saying, "That's a bread-and-butter short-yardage call for us, so I didn't have any problem with it."

While kicking the field goal would have extended the game had kicker Joshua Karty made it, that was far from a guarantee.

Karty had a go-ahead extra point blocked in the fourth quarter, and he had two field goals blocked against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3, including what would have been the game winner.

Also, if Karty made the field goal, the 49ers would have gotten the ball back with 3:41 remaining, and they would have only needed a field goal of their own to win the game.

It seems likely that almost any coach would have gone for it like McVay did. The only legitimate argument that can be made is that McVay should have put the ball in Stafford's hands.

Stafford was excellent Thursday, going 30-of-47 for 389 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The San Francisco secondary had no answers for the wide receiver trio of Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Tutu Atwell either, as they combined for 17 receptions for 245 yards.

It seems likely that one of them could have gotten open quickly to secure the first down, whereas Williams never really had a chance thanks to the push the Niners' defensive line got on the final play.

The loss was a disappointing and potentially costly one for the Rams since it dropped them to 3-2 while the NFC West rival 49ers improved to 4-1, but Stafford made it clear that he wants McVay to continue putting trust in the offense in key situations.