Sean McVay serves on the NFL Competition Committee.
So it stands to reason that the next time the group gets together, Rams the coach will have a specific situation and rule to discuss.
In particular, the one that occurred during a two-point conversion attempt during the Rams lose 38-37 to Seattle Seahawks Thursday night at Lumen Field in Seattle.
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After the Seahawks scored a fourth-quarter touchdown that brought them within 30-28, Sam Darnold, Seahawks quarterback attempted what was initially ruled a forward pass that was deflected by the Rams linebacker Jared Verse before falling incomplete.
But as the teams lined up for the ensuing kickoff, the referee announced that upon review it was ruled a backwards pass, so the play remained alive until the ball was recovered by Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet in the end zone, making it a successful conversion that tied the score.
“When situations and circumstances present themselves like this, those will be things that I guarantee you will be brought up and discussed,” McVay said Friday in a video conference with reporters.
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During his postgame press conference Thursday, McVay said he did not receive clarity on the call during the game.
But he did it on Friday.
Learn more: Commentary: Seahawks remind Rams that even one weird play can destroy a successful season
“It’s a technical question,” McVay said. “What they said was, ‘You can’t advance a fumble in less than two minutes on two-point plays or fourth downs.’ That’s the problem.
“Because they said it was a backward pass, that’s how it was able to move forward.”
Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner said after the game that he was “definitely shaken” by the call change. But Rams players have meetings to be “situational masters” who always end up with the ball, he said.
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“I should have been there to get the ball,” Turner said. “But I saw Verse hit him, and then I saw (safety) Kam (Curl) almost catch a pick and I was like, ‘Well, he almost caught it.’ And then I went to celebrate Verse.
“This will definitely be one of those situational master clips.”
On Friday, McVay said he has “total appreciation” and “empathy” for officials who find themselves in difficult situations, but “I don’t think anyone would disagree that these are not the plays we want in our game.”
Learn more: Hernández: Puka Nacua’s judgment on social media tested the Rams’ patience. Lesson learned?
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He added: “I can’t imagine anyone thinking plays like that should be counted as conversions. I know I would feel that way even if I was a beneficiary and the roles were reversed and it benefited us last night.
“I can honestly say that.”
Etc.
Rams safety Kevin Dotson suffered a sprained ankle during the game and was also the target of a stomp from Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall, who was suspended by the NFL for one game due to his actions. “I think he’s been hurt before,” McVay said, “but it certainly didn’t help things and it’s definitely not something we want in our game.” Dotson is questionable for the Rams’ Dec. 29 game against the Atlanta Falcons, McVay said. Justin Dedich would start in his place. Receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) also “most likely” will not be available against the Falcons, he said. … Receiver Puka Nacuawho was fined $25,000 by NFL for critical comments of officials he made during a live broadcast earlier in the week, will not face further disciplinary action from the team, McVay said. After the match, Nacua posted on X about the officials. “I talked to him right after,” McVay said. “He’s a young man who continues to learn the importance of his platform. … What I want to continue to educate him on is that there are platforms that he has incredible influence on. There’s a point where you have to be able to have people to speak on. This is not the space to do that. He knows that and I’m confident that won’t be a problem for us in the future.”
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This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
