Sean McVay's Safe Strategy Costs Rams Against Bills

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Sean McVay’s Conservative Approach Leaves the Rams With Little Margin for Error

Sean McVay is an interesting and captivating personality when he speaks about football and life. After Monday night’s game against the Bills, he accepted all the blame for what happened.

For Rams fans, it is difficult to understand why McVay played so safely. The Rams had already missed an extra point, kicker Harrison Mevis was struggling, and the special teams unit was not playing well. Despite driving down the field against a tired Bills defense with a chance to win, the Rams played for overtime.

Generally, playing for overtime at home makes sense. The team has its own building and fans behind it. However, that approach was questionable with the Rams’ special teams in such disarray. McVay admitted after the game that special teams cost Los Angeles the victory.

The Rams are now 2-3 and sit three and a half games behind the 49ers in the division after five weeks. Seattle is also ahead of them, and reaching the playoffs will be difficult if they do not turn things around. They have three very winnable games coming up and should be able to reach 5-3, but they have little margin for error.

I took the Bills at plus three and a half and came within one kick of a perfect outcome as a Patriots fan. A Bills loss would have dropped Buffalo to 3-2, tying New England for first place in the AFC East, with the Patriots holding the head-to-head advantage.

James Cook’s remarkable fumble gave the Rams possession while the Bills were driving for a field goal or touchdown. Los Angeles then needed only a field goal to win. The Rams played conservatively to move into range, but the attempt was not a simple kick.