MELBOURNE, Australia — Sean McVay said Thursday night that arriving in Melbourne the day before the season opener was not why the Los Angeles Rams lost 27-7 to the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams coach said he stands by the decision and takes responsibility for it.
McVay spoke to reporters after the game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ABC News’ Michael Doyle reported. Los Angeles landed just before dawn Thursday, about 28 hours before kickoff, while San Francisco had been in Melbourne for a week. McVay congratulated the 49ers and said they outplayed the Rams in every facet.
“I don’t believe that’s why we didn’t play well enough, I really don’t,” McVay said. “That’s something that I’ll always make decisions that I think are best for the football team.”
“It’s easy in hindsight to be able to say it was a miss, but those are responsibilities that I’ll take, and then you try to be able to look at it,” McVay continued. “I’ll always look at myself inside out and figure out where I can improve.”
Sean McVay Defended Rams’ Plan Before Kickoff
On Thursday at Marvel Stadium, McVay said the Rams were well-rested after the flight. The Rams left Southern California on Tuesday night. They planned to fly home before sunset Friday, leaving about 36 hours on the ground between two flights of about 15 hours each, The Associated Press’ Greg Beacham reported. McVay said Thursday that the Rams were not claiming to have every answer.
“We wouldn’t do anything if we didn’t think it was best for our players,” McVay explained. “I’m not saying we have all the answers, but we wanted to keep our guys in a normal rhythm and routine as long as possible, and we feel like (the plan) is going to be something that suits us well.”
The approach grew in part out of a trip to London last October. The Rams arrived on a Saturday morning and beat Jacksonville 35-7 at Wembley Stadium the next afternoon. They had spent the week before on the East Coast after playing at Baltimore. Before Thursday, Los Angeles was 3-0 in international games under McVay, all in London.
Rams receiver Davante Adams said before the game that other NFL teams probably should copy the approach. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said this week that 53 players on each roster and 3 1/2 hours of football leave too many variables to credit either travel plan with an advantage.
Matthew Stafford Did Not Play Rams’ Final Drive
The Rams entered the season as the Super Bowl favorite. Matthew Stafford, last season’s league MVP, threw for 155 yards and an interception. He did not take part in the final Rams drive, and Stetson Bennett took the snaps, according to ABC News. Stafford played high school football at Highland Park in Dallas.
Brock Purdy threw 3 touchdown passes for San Francisco. Late in the third quarter, the 49ers stopped Stafford on a fourth-and-goal sneak and then drove 99 yards for a touchdown. San Francisco outgained Los Angeles 379-290.
McVay called it a humbling day for the Rams and said he loves the locker room. Los Angeles hosts the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on Sept. 21. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m. CT on ABC.
