January 1, Rams Blame Refs After Home Loss to Cardinals

Wyatt’s Take

• The Los Angeles Rams entered the season as the supposed superteam yet sit at 2-4 after another home defeat.
• Officiating controversy cannot mask deeper problems with execution and preparation under Sean McVay.
• Real NFL success demands owning mistakes instead of searching for excuses in the officials’ booth.

The Los Angeles Rams have another reason to complain about NFL officiating. They also have a 2-4 record after losing at home to an Arizona Cardinals team that entered Sunday with one win.

I’d be a lot more concerned about the second part.

Yes, a questionable personal foul helped Arizona get into position for the winning field goal in its 18-16 victory. Rams fans have every right to be frustrated, especially given what happened against Denver earlier this season.

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But this was supposed to be the NFL’s superteam. The preseason Super Bowl favorite. A team built to win a championship right now.

Instead, Los Angeles needed a touchdown in the final minute just to take the lead against the Cardinals. Then it couldn’t get through the remaining 47 seconds.

That’s a problem that goes well beyond the officials.

Matthew Stafford’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson capped an 86-yard drive and tied the score 15-15 with 47 seconds remaining. But what should have been a routine go-ahead extra point was anything but.

Rams kicker Blake Grupe had injured his knee tackling Devin Duvernay just over five minutes into the game and did not return, leaving punter Ethan Evans to attempt the crucial kick.

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He drilled it, and for a moment it looked like Los Angeles was going to escape with a win it probably didn’t deserve.

But one play, albeit a controversial one, was all Arizona needed to reach field-goal range.

The Rams jumped offsides on the first snap of the Cardinals’ possession, giving quarterback Jacoby Brissett a free play to take a shot down the field. He hit Jalen Brooks for 21 yards. Rams cornerback Josh Wallace was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the tackle, adding 15 yards and moving the Cardinals to the Los Angeles 29-yard line.

FOX analyst Greg Olsen repeatedly insisted during the broadcast that Wallace’s hit wasn’t a foul. FOX rules analyst Mike Pereira also said there wasn’t enough to warrant a personal foul.

After three running plays, Chad Ryland hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired. It was Ryland’s sixth field goal of the day.

The questionable call certainly helped Arizona. But the Rams had already given Brissett a free play and allowed a 21-yard completion on a drive that began with 47 seconds remaining and the Cardinals out of timeouts.

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Making the ending even more frustrating for Rams fans was the player involved.

Wallace was flagged for pass interference against Denver, erasing an interception. Rams head coach Sean McVay later said the NFL acknowledged it was a mistake.

Now Wallace and the Rams have another call to be angry about, and another loss in the standings.

Look, saying a team should have played better doesn’t excuse a questionable call that helps decide the game. The officials still have a job to do, regardless of what happened before the flag.

But so do McVay, the Rams’ offensive line and a defense that took the field with a lead and 47 seconds remaining. Los Angeles needed a last-minute touchdown to take the lead over a team that entered the red zone five times and failed to score a single touchdown.

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Arizona’s pass rush repeatedly disrupted the Rams’ offense, keeping Stafford off-balance for most of the game. Now, credit to Stafford: He showed up with the game on the line and led his team on an 86-yard touchdown drive to take the lead. Still, the Rams had nine points through 59 minutes.

That’s a pretty big concern for a team led by Stafford with offensive weapons like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams.

The upcoming schedule gives the Rams a chance to recover, with the Raiders, Chargers and Commanders up next. But after watching this performance, I’m not sure Los Angeles should be looking at anyone as an easy win.

They’re too talented to write off after six games. They’re also 2-4, and the preseason hype isn’t going to help them climb out of that hole.

Neither is another explanation from the NFL about a flag.

Wyatt Matters

Middle America values hard work and accountability. When teams or leaders point fingers instead of fixing problems, the record eventually tells the truth.