Sean McVay Reacts to Unforgettable Week 3 Loss
For Rams head coach Sean McVay, the events from Week 3 still feel almost unbelievable.
During the fourth quarter, it was defensive tackle Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles who broke through the Rams’ line, blocking a crucial field goal attempt. Shortly after, another blocked kick turned the game upside down, which could have allowed the Rams to run the clock down with a 44-yard attempt.
This time, it was 336-pound Jordan Davis of the Eagles who sprinted 61 yards in the opposite direction, clocking in at 18.59 mph. That marked the quickest recorded pace for a player over 330 pounds since stats tracking began in 2017.
For McVay, watching this play was like being part of a surreal nightmare.
The ending to the Rams’ 33-26 defeat felt so absurd that McVay’s mind is still piecing together how it unraveled.
Reflecting on his experience, he mentioned, “I ran from first to second base, then to third, thinking I was in the clear.” He seemed bewildered, saying, “This can’t be real life.”
There was a humorous reference McVay made about a scene in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character experiences a dizzying moment. “It’s amusing, yet I can’t help but relate,” he joked. “You think you can drive home without a scratch?”
Yet for the Rams, the events at Lincoln Financial Field weren’t amusing at all.
At one point, Los Angeles held a 26-7 lead, still maintaining a 26-21 edge midway through the fourth quarter. But then, the Eagles pulled off an impressive 91-yard touchdown drive, led by Jalen Hurts, turning the tide.
Despite their last-ditch efforts, the Rams saw their chance vanish. The absurdity of the ending highlighted the ongoing struggles of the Rams’ special teams throughout the season.
McVay admitted post-game that the breakdowns were becoming a concerning trend. “I don’t want to say I’ve scrutinized every kick this season, but I have. There’s a lot of turnover, and it’s hard to find answers. Is it personnel? Tech? Just execution?”
The Rams’ special teams’ performance dipped significantly over the years, finishing 19th in 2024, 26th in 2023, and a dismal 32nd in DVOA for 2025. What initially seemed like an outlier against the Eagles became a glaring indicator of a larger problem.
Team Changes and Future Goals
Carty, the kicker, was ultimately let go after making only 10 out of 15 attempts, with many blocked throughout the season. Former undrafted kicker Harrison Mavis stepped in to stabilize the situation, alongside long-time snapper Jake McQuaid.
The shift in coaches also took a sharp turn. McVay’s first season saw special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn fired due to a disastrous finish against the Seattle Seahawks. They then brought in experienced special teams coach Bubba Bentrone for the 2026 season.
Oddly enough, despite the chaos, McVay expressed a fondness for the team that waded through such struggles. “Seeing that blocked kick was tough, but our unit learned from it,” he noted. “Even if things didn’t go as planned, that team is a favorite of mine because of their effort and growth.”
Ultimately, when reflecting on that season, the lasting image may be of 336-pound Davis barreling toward the end zone at incredible speed, while a dazed McVay watches, struggling to grasp how it all slipped away.
A surreal echo of cinematic chaos.
