McVay Shoulders Blame for Final Play in Rams' 26-23 Overtime Loss to 49ers

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay publicly took full responsibility for a critical failed play call that sealed a 26-23 overtime loss to the division rival San Francisco 49ers. The pivotal moment occurred on a fourth-and-one from the 49ers' 11-yard line with 3:41 remaining in overtime at SoFi Stadium. Instead of attempting a short field goal to tie the game, McVay opted to go for the win, calling a run play for Kyren Williams that the 49ers defense stuffed for no gain, ending the contest. Following the game, a visibly dejected McVay was blunt in his self-assessment, stating, "Bad call. Bad call by me. It was a poor decision by me right there." He expressed deep regret for the outcome, telling reporters, "I'm sick right now because I put our players in a sh--ty spot."

clutchpoints.com reported, The game-ending play was the culmination of a contest filled with self-inflicted wounds for the Rams, who fell to a 3-2 record. The loss was particularly stinging as it came against a shorthanded 49ers team missing several key starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy. The final play call overshadowed a night where quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, and a frantic fourth-quarter comeback that saw the Rams tie the game with just two seconds left in regulation. The decision to run was influenced by several factors, including ongoing struggles in the Rams' kicking game, which included a missed extra point and a missed 53-yard field goal earlier in the contest. The loss was compounded by a crucial fumble from running back Kyren Williams at the 49ers' one-yard line with just over a minute left in regulation, a play that would have likely given the Rams the lead. Despite Williams also taking blame for his turnover, McVay remained adamant that the final outcome rested on his shoulders. "My job is to put our players in successful situations," McVay said. "That wasn't it right there."

• Background on the Rivalry: The Rams-49ers rivalry is one of the most storied in the NFL, dating back to 1950. The two California teams have been continuous members of the NFC West since its formation in 1970 and have met 153 times, with the 49ers holding a narrow 79-71-3 series lead. The rivalry has seen renewed intensity since the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016 and with the concurrent coaching tenures of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan, who were hired a month apart in 2017.
• The Decisive Play Call: With the game on the line in overtime, facing a fourth-and-one at the 49ers' 11-yard line, McVay chose to forgo a game-tying 29-yard field goal. He later admitted the thought of kicking "wasn't even a thought" in the moment as the team's mentality was to win the game outright. The play called was a "straight handoff to Kyren" up the middle, a decision some analysts called "incredibly uncreative." The 49ers defense anticipated the run and stopped Williams, sealing the victory.
• McVay's History of Accountability: Sean McVay has long cultivated a leadership style centered on public accountability. He frequently takes personal blame for losses and coaching mistakes, believing it sets a standard for the players and fosters a culture of ownership. After the loss, McVay stated, "Ultimately, it's my responsibility. We weren't ready to go." This approach is a core tenet of his coaching philosophy, where he believes no one, including himself, is above being coached.
• Kyren Williams' Pivotal Role and Fumbles: Kyren Williams had a turbulent game, fumbling twice, including a devastating turnover at the 49ers' one-yard line with 1:07 left in regulation that prevented a go-ahead touchdown. Despite the costly errors, Williams remains a central figure in the Rams' offense. After the game, Williams shouldered the blame for his key fumble, stating, "I feel like I let the team down on the one-yard line." His recent fumbles have become a concern, as he also lost a fumble in the previous week's game.
• Implications for the NFC West: The overtime loss caused the Rams to fall to 3-2 on the season, while the 49ers improved to 4-1, taking sole possession of first place in the NFC West. In a highly competitive division, this head-to-head loss could have significant playoff implications later in the season. The 49ers' ability to win despite significant injuries demonstrates their resilience and strengthens their position as a top contender in the conference.
• Kicking Game Woes: The Rams' struggles on special teams played a significant role in the game's outcome and likely influenced McVay's aggressive fourth-down decision. Placekicker Joshua Karty missed a 53-yard field goal and had an extra point attempt blocked. Although Karty hit a 48-yard field goal to force overtime, the earlier misses cost the team crucial points and contributed to the need for late-game heroics. McVay has acknowledged the kicking game is "a killer for us."
• A Game of Missed Opportunities: Beyond the final play, the Rams' loss was characterized by numerous mistakes that kept them from securing a victory. The team committed two turnovers and five penalties for 36 yards. A blocked extra point in the third quarter kept the score tied at 20-20 instead of giving the Rams a lead. McVay summarized the performance by saying, "we certainly did more to lose that game than we did to win it."