In the aftermath of the NFC Championship Game, Sean McVay finds himself reflecting on a pivotal sequence that shifted the momentum for the Los Angeles Rams. Leading 13-10 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams' defense had just forced a three-and-out with under two minutes left in the first half.
A promising start with a five-yard run by Kyren Williams quickly stalled as two incomplete passes stopped the clock, leading to a punt. Seattle seized the opportunity, marching 74 yards in just 34 seconds to take the lead with a touchdown.
In a candid interview, McVay opened up about his regrets over the play-calling in that crucial moment. “One thing you don’t do in a two-minute situation is put your defense back on the field,” McVay noted.
“We should have run it again after that first down. With them holding three timeouts, throwing it twice was a mistake.
It changed the momentum heading into halftime.”
Critics have also scrutinized McVay’s decision later in the game. Trailing 31-27 with about five minutes remaining, McVay chose to go for it on a critical fourth down at Seattle’s 6-yard line instead of opting for a field goal.
The Seahawks held firm, and the Rams only regained possession with 25 seconds left. Despite the outcome, McVay stands by his decision, emphasizing the necessity of a touchdown in that situation.
“I’d make that call again,” McVay stated. “Given the flow of the game and the way Matthew Stafford and the offense were performing, it felt like the right move.
They made the play, and we didn’t.”
While McVay is resolute about the fourth-down call, he acknowledges the mistake of the first half’s closing sequence. “I’d handle the end of the first half differently,” he admitted. “Improving game management in those moments is crucial, and that’s something I’ll always own up to.”
McVay’s reflections highlight the fine margins in high-stakes games and his commitment to learning and growing from every experience.