1 week ago
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Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay is taking the blame for his team's sluggish performance in their season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
The Rams were thoroughly dominated by the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers as LA scored only once in their 27-7 defeat.
Much had been made about the Rams' decision to fly across the Pacific Ocean only 28 hours prior to the game – as well as their decision to continue to operate on LA time – as opposed to the 49ers' choice to arrive in Australia last Wednesday to get acclimated.
San Francisco looked the much better rested and much better prepared team as they put up nearly 100 more yards on the day and held reigning MVP Matthew Stafford to just 155 yards passing.
After the heavy loss, McVay owned up to the defeat and took responsibility: 'They outplayed us in every facet. I didn't do nearly a good enough job.
'This is a humbling day for us, and this will define us only if we allow it to.'
“I didn’t do a good enough job getting us ready to go. … This is a good, humbling day. I have to do a better job for our group collectively.”
Rams coach Sean McVay takes full responsibility following their 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/tTyXwIZbIK
Rams coach Sean McVay took responsibility for his team's heavy loss to the 49ers
San Francisco, who arrived over a week prior, looked the better prepared team in the 27-7 win
Reigning MVP and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford only threw for 155 yards in the loss
He added: 'I didn't do a good enough job getting us ready to go. There were some opportunities where maybe the game could have flipped, but they deserve the win.'
McVay continued: 'Sometimes sports can humble you and today was one of those days. I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it's about travel, whatever, we just weren't good enough in that window.
'I didn't coach good enough and we'll look at it and we'll move forward and that's where we're at right now.'
Niners quarterback Brock Purdy led the charge for San Francisco, completing 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns to quiet any lingering doubts – connecting with Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in the end zone.
Running back Christian McCaffrey added 68 rushing yards on 10 carries alongside rookie back Kaelon Black's 65 yards during the dominant performance in Melbourne.
The Rams' lone score came early in the second quarter when Kyren Williams punched in a short touchdown to briefly take a 7-3 lead, before San Francisco responded with 24 unanswered points.
Linebacker Fred Warner anchored San Francisco's defensive masterclass, racking up a game-high 11 tackles to repeatedly stuff the Rams' offense.
Kicker Eddy Pineiro sealed the rout in the fourth quarter, drilling a 56-yard field goal to send the favored Rams tumbling to an opening-night defeat Down Under.
