NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was criticized for his decision-making during the NFC championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
A few plays caught the attention of fans and NFL pundits as the Seahawks narrowly edged out the Rams, 31-27.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NFC NFL Championship football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The first came from his use of the timeout at the end of the match. McVay took a timeout before Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold found Cooper Kupp to convert a third down with 3:20 left. He took another timeout after the play as he appeared to be preparing to contest the location of the ball. But after a discussion with officials, McVay did not contest the play.
The Rams finally stopped the Seahawks and got the ball back with 31 seconds left. But the team failed to come back.
McVay also faced scrutiny for his decision to let the team go for it on fourth down on its first drive of the fourth quarter. Matthew Stafford led the team on a 14-play, 84-yard drive that ended with a turnover on downs. If Los Angeles had taken the points, it would have been a one-point game.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts as players warm up before the NFC NFL Championship football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
SUPER BOWL LX: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GAME
“A lot of people will say ‘Analytics’ and ESPN Analytics will say ‘Go.’ At some point, understand the momentum of the game. Understand how it’s happening,” ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said on “NFL Primetime.” “In this situation, if you’re Sean McVay, you bring (Harrison) Mevis, you score the basket. Now you put the pressure back on the Seattle offense.
“Now if you’re the Seattle offense, if you go three-and-out and give the ball back, we don’t have to drive for a touchdown. We have a kicker who can kick a 50-yard kick and we’re on the turf so we don’t have to worry about footing. So now the pressure is back on the Seattle offense to keep the football.”
McFarland added: “You can win with field goals.”
The ESPN analyst was far from the only one to question McVay’s play calls.
McVay was extremely disappointed with the outcome and said he firmly believed his team would celebrate at Lumen Field.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks during a news conference after the NFC NFL Championship football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
“I’m kind of numb…I think the finality of it all, when you don’t even allow yourself to think about anything other than just moving forward, I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium and we weren’t, and you give credit to Seattle, but I love this group and I’m never really at a loss for words, and I am right now,” he said.
