Sean McVay felt the pangs of regret immediately after Monday night’s overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Los Angeles Rams head coach was uncharacteristically conservative late in the Week 5 contest at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. After a Buffalo turnover to open OT, the Rams had 3rd-and-5 at the Bills’ 30 with a chance to win the game.
Instead of going for a first down or even a knockout blow on a deep pass, the Rams handed the ball off to running back Kyren Williams for no gain. The Rams’ 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked, leaving the door open for the Bills to win 37-34 on a 45-yard kick from Tyler Bass.
Speaking to reporters after the game, McVay claimed he was “sick” over his lack of creativity when asked about the pivotal 3rd-down play.
“Yeah, I wish I would have had a better play call and gone for it, got it a lot tighter,” McVay said.
“I’m sick right now with myself. … I’m sick that we came up short. I’ll be regretting kicking that and not having a better call to be able to go for it on third down and go to fourth, or whatever it was. That’s on me.”
Sean McVay: "I’m SICK right now with myself!.. I’m sick that we came up short. I’ll be regretting kicking that and not having a better call to be able to go for it on third down and go to fourth or whatever it was. That’s on me." https://t.co/D6a4iUV2tm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 13, 2026
Despite McVay’s self-criticism, the Rams coach said he was “proud” of how his team battled in what was a wild finish to Week 5.
Monday’s loss may very well haunt the Rams later in the season as they fight for positioning in a tough NFC West.
