Sean McVay Admits Getting “Humbled” After Shocking Loss to Falcons Before Playoffs

Los Angeles Rams blew a golden opportunity to stay in the hunt for the top three seed after Matthew Stafford threw 3 interceptions in Week 17 game defeat against the Falcons.

Sean McVay Admits Getting “Humbled” After Shocking Loss to Falcons Before Playoffs

Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay in the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

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Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams walked into Atlanta as the firm favorites to pick up their 12th win of the season and stay in the hunt for the NFC second seed. Finishing as the first seed is no longer an option after losing against the Seattle Seahawks last week. Defeating the Falcons became the Rams’ primary goal.

By any chance, if McVay’s team lost against the Falcons, then they would trickle further down the list. That’s exactly what happened on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Matthew Stafford, MVP front-runner, threw three interceptions, including a pick-6 (32nd of his career, tied with Brett Favre for most in NFL history) and took three sacks, as the Rams lost 24-27.

This is a humbling league, and we got humbled tonight.

Sean McVay said via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN

Sean McVay reflects on the Rams’ lackluster performance against the Falcons

The Falcons’ defense had Stafford in a chokehold the entire game. There were several firsts for the veteran signal caller. He conceded a second-half interception for the first time this year. Stafford went nine games without throwing a single pick. However, he has thrown six in the last five games.

Sean McVay Admits Getting "Humbled" After Shocking Loss to Falcons Before Playoffs
Matthew Stafford (Image via IMAGO)

Now, putting the blame solely on the offense isn’t fair, considering the defense looked helpless to stop the Falcons’ run game. Bijan Robinson carved the Rams’ D-line on several occasions. His standout moment came right before halftime, when he broke free for an incredible 93-yard touchdown run. Robinson finished with 27 touches on the ball for 229 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns.

The scoreline doesn’t capture the whole story. It may only be a defeat by three points, but it was thanks to a rare clutch play by the special teams. Trailing 24-10 late in the third quarter, the Falcons had their kick blocked and returned for a touchdown by linebacker Jared Verse.

To grasp how rough the Rams’ offense was, fans only need to take a quick look at Puka Nacua’s stats. Nacua, who crossed 1500+ receiving yards earlier this year, caught 5 passes on 10 targets for 47 yards, recording fewer than 50 yards for the first time since Week 6.

The Rams also lost by one point to the Seahawks last week. Both Seahawks and Falcons boast one of the toughest defenses in the league. But the Rams handled the Seahawks better compared to the Falcons. Stafford threw 3 touchdowns, Blake Corum rushed for one, and Nacua finished with 225 yards and 2 scores.

The contrast in the two defeats is stark. But the Falcons’ loss stings even more given that the NFC South is one of the weakest divisions in the league. It showed in the Vegas odds, with the Rams listed as 3.5-point favorites.

I didn’t think we played badly against Seattle… Tonight [against the Falcons], we didn’t play very well. We had our chances… We gave ourselves a chance to come back—in the second half, tie it up, come back from down 21. But it was too much to overcome.

Sean McVay said

The loss trickled the Rams down to the NFC sixth seed. They must defeat the 3-13 Arizona Cardinals on the final day to at least get a home playoff game after the wild card. The only issue is that they might face the Bears or the Eagles if positions remain the same after week 18.

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