The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their 2026 season with a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and that’s put Sean McVay and his crew in a pretty rough spot heading into Week 2. Yeah, nobody wanted that L, but McVay always hammers home one key message when things get tough: “controlling their response.” That’s the real challenge for a Rams team that’s got serious expectations this year, and it means finding ways to fix those Week 1 mistakes before they face the New York Giants on Monday night. For the players, it’s just as simple: learn, move forward, and respond with urgency.
McVay’s Track Record After Facing Shanahan
When McVay’s Rams take a hit from Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers, you gotta wonder how he bounces back. Since both coaches started with their teams back in 2017, McVay’s response record has been a real mixed bag. After a Week 17 loss to the 49ers in 2017, the Rams benched their starters and then fell to Matt Ryan and the Falcons 26-13 in the playoffs. Not exactly the bounce-back you want. But then in 2019, after a 20-7 Week 6 loss to the 49ers, they rolled into Atlanta and stomped the Falcons 37-10. Jalen Ramsey even made his Rams debut in that game. It’s clear that while the losses hurt, McVay’s teams *can* turn it around.
The Ups and Downs of Post-49ers Showdowns
The Rams definitely know how to rebound, but sometimes the wheels come off. In 2019, they got knocked out of the playoff race after a Week 16 34-31 loss to the 49ers, but McVay still got them a winning season with a 31-24 win over the Cardinals. Then in 2020, they dropped two to the 49ers, 24-16 and 23-20. Both times, they responded with wins, beating Nick Foles and the Bears 24-10, and then scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter to clip the Cardinals 38-28 thanks to a Troy Hill pick-six. But 2021 was a rough patch. After a hot 7-1 start, they took three losses in a row, including a 31-10 beatdown from the 49ers, followed by a 36-28 loss to the Packers. That three-game skid, though, somehow sparked a five-game win streak. Later that year, after an overtime loss to the 49ers in Week 18, they were PISSED. They still secured the NFC West division crown but got stuck as the 4th seed. What happened next? They stomped the Cardinals 34-11 in the Wild Card round. The 2022 season, however, was a total mess, with losses to the 49ers in Week 4 (24-9) and Week 8 (31-14) leading to further defeats against the Cowboys (22-10, despite Aaron Donald’s two sacks) and Tom Brady’s Buccaneers (16-13).
So, now it’s 2026, Week 1 is in the books, and that familiar taste of a 49ers loss is back. McVay’s message about “controlling their response” isn’t just talk, it’s a playbook. Facing the Giants next, the Rams need to prove they can still execute it, because the season is just getting started, and every game matters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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