That brutal 33-31 loss to the Washington Commanders? Man, that one just hits different, doesn’t it? Losing by two points, knowing you were right there, it’s the kind of gut punch that leaves you searching for answers, maybe even someone to blame. But sometimes, in this crazy game, you just gotta suck it up and move on. Even coaches like Sean McVay, who just lived through his own controversial defeat, know that the “victim card” is a losing hand.
The Karma of the Call?
McVay’s Rams just took a loss to Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos, a game that had all the hallmarks of a classic, right up until the final seconds. Late in the game, a questionable defensive pass interference penalty was called on Rams player Josh Wallace. Picture this: it instantly nullified an interception Wallace had made, gifting the Broncos a first-and-goal at the 7 yard line. Just five plays later, Denver punched it in for the game-winner with only 47 seconds left on the clock. Absolute heartbreak.
Now, for those with long memories, this isn’t the first dance between McVay and Payton involving a controversial DPI call. Back in the 2018 NFC Championship Game, McVay’s Rams actually *benefited* from a missed defensive pass interference call against Payton’s Saints. That was labeled one of the worst missed calls in NFL history. Talk about things coming full circle, huh? You gotta wonder if the football gods are just balancing the books sometimes.
No Room for Excuses, Not Even in the Emerald City
But despite the obvious frustration, McVay’s stance after this latest loss? Zero excuses. Speaking to ESPN, he was crystal clear: “It doesn’t really matter. It is what it is.” That’s a strong statement from a coach who just saw his team get hit with five penalties in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter by Referee Bill Vinovich’s crew, tying a league high. McVay wasn’t about to harp on the officials or the bad breaks.
His focus was squarely on what his team could have controlled. He admitted there were “a lot of opportunities that we had to be able to close the door on that game.” He even said he wouldn’t change how Josh Wallace played the snap. That’s the mindset, right? You can’t change the call, but you *can* control how you play, how you execute, how you finish. After our own 33-31 heartbreaker to Washington, that message from McVay resonates deep in the Emerald City. You feel like you got robbed, but you also know there were moments *we* had to “close the door.”
Look, the NFL season is a grind, especially in late September when every game starts to carry more weight. You’re deep enough into the regular season for early trends to solidify. Our Hawks just faced a gutting loss, but like McVay said, we can’t play the victim card. The only way forward is to learn from those missed opportunities, tighten things up, and come out swinging next time. That’s the spirit our city demands, and it’s the only way to tackle the challenges ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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