Sean McVay serves on NFL competition committee.
So it goes without saying that the next time the group gets together, Rams The coach will have a specific situation and rule to discuss.
Specifically, the one that occurred on the two-point conversion attempt during The Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks 38-37. on Thursday night at Lumen Field in Seattle.
After the Seahawks scored a fourth-quarter touchdown that put them up 30-28, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold attempted a forward pass that was initially called by the Rams linebacker Jared Wehrs before falling unfinished.
But as the teams lined up for the ensuing kickoff, the referee announced that a back pass was ruled after review, so play continued until the ball was picked up by Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet in the end zone, making the successful conversion to tie the game.
“When these types of situations and circumstances arise, I guarantee that these are the questions that will be asked of you,” McVay said Friday during a video conference with reporters.
During Thursday's postgame press conference, McVay said he didn't get clarity on the call during the game.
But he did it by Friday.
“It’s a technical issue,” McVay said. “They said, 'You can't advance by less than two minutes on a two-point play or on fourth down.' Here's the thing.
“Because they said it was a backward pass, that's why it could be pushed forward.”
Rams Quarterback Coby Turner said after the game that he was “definitely shocked” by the changed decision. But the Rams' players have meetings about being “the masters of the situation,” who always end up with the ball, he said.
“I should have been there and got the ball,” Turner said. “But I saw Vers hit him, then I saw [safety] Came [Curl] almost caught the pick and I was like, “Well, he almost caught it.” And then I went to celebrate Verse.
“It’s definitely going to be one of those master of the situation clips.”
McVay said Friday that he “fully appreciates” and “sympathizes” with officials finding themselves in difficult situations, but “I don't believe anyone would disagree that these are not the actions we need in our game.”
He added: “I can't imagine anyone thinking games like this should count as conversions. I know I would feel that way even if I was the beneficiary and the roles were reversed and it benefited us last night.
“I can honestly say that.”
Etc.
Rams cornerback Kevin Dotson suffered a sprained ankle during the game and was also assaulted by Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall, who was suspended by the NFL for the game due to his actions. “I think he was injured before,” McVay said, “but that certainly didn’t help matters and that’s definitely not what we want in our game.” Dotson is questionable for the Rams' Dec. 29 game against the Atlanta Falcons, McVay said. In his place, Justin Dedich would start. Recipient Davante Adams (Hamstring) also “probably” won’t be available against the Falcons, he said. … Receiver Puka Nacuawho was fined $25,000 by NFL The team will not face additional disciplinary action for critical comments he made to officials during a livestream earlier in the week, McVay said. After the game, Nacua tweeted an X about the officials. “I talked to him right after that,” McVay said. “He's a young guy who continues to understand the importance of his platform. … What I want to continue to teach him is that there are platforms that he has an incredible impact on. It's time for people to let their feelings out. This is not the place for that. He knows that, and I'm very confident that it won't be a problem for us moving forward.”
