INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Rams endured their third one-possession loss of the young season on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Los Angeles took a 13-10 lead into the half, but explosive plays fueled a Packers comeback that proved too much for the Rams to surmount. Green Bay won 24-19 behind two second-half scores from tight end Tucker Kraft and some spectacular plays from quarterback Jordan Love.
After the game, head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford spoke with the media about the loss to Green Bay. Here are some of the most significant quotes and talking points from the press conferences, which can be viewed below:
"There's a lot of things that are occurring that we've got to figure out how to learn from in an accelerated manner. We're having some mental things that typically haven't occurred here, but they are, and we have to be able to figure out how to eliminate those. Before you can start winning games, you have to start learning how to not beat yourself." - McVay
The Rams allowed two explosive plays against the Packers that either resulted in or set up points. Kraft took a corner route 66 yards down the sideline to give the Packers a second-half lead after a Kyren Williams fumble, and wide receiver Jayden Reed hauled in a 53-yard bomb in the first half between three defenders that set up a touchdown from running back Josh Jacobs.
McVay said "this is a tough one," but he's proud of the group for fighting until the end. He added that they need to "finish games and play consistently throughout" in order to start winning these one-possession games and stop beating themselves.
Going into the bye week, McVay said they will "evaluate everything" from their position groups, schematics and execution on both sides of the ball.
"I think we've moved the ball nice between the 20s, we just haven't scored enough points. And, you know, that's the name of the name of the game in this league, you got to score points, got to take care of the football. I think we can be better in both those areas." - Stafford
Both of the Rams' second-half turnovers resulted in points for the Packers. First it was Williams' fumble, then an interception from Stafford on the very next drive turned into a seven play touchdown drive that took over four minutes off the clock.
Stafford said there were "a bunch of plays within the game" that could have put them in a better position late if they went a different way. Those turnovers were certainly two of them, but there were some sacks and failed third and fourth down conversions that also moved the needle in the wrong direction. Still, he said that when they do have scoring opportunities late in the game, they must "find ways to win."
