SEATTLE – Despite a 374-yard performance from quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams fell 31-27 to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. It was a back-and-forth shootout between divisional foes, but Seattle came out on top in the third matchup between the two teams, earning a trip to Super Bowl LX.
After the game, emotions were running high, but Stafford and head coach Sean McVay spoke with the media about loss and the season at large. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
"I'm pretty numb... I think the finality of all of it when you don't allow yourself to even think about anything other than just advancing, I felt like we were going to be the team on that podium and we weren't, and you give Seattle the credit, but I love this group and I'm never really short on words, and I am right now." - McVay
McVay was emotional speaking to reporters at the podium. He said this year's squad was "as special of a group top to bottom as I've ever been around" and expressed his gratitude for the team. He wanted two more weeks to work with them, and that won't happen now, which only added to the postgame disappointment.
McVay did say he was happy with how the offense executed. When asked about Stafford's future, he said "You have to ask him. We've been totally present. I know that if he wants to, he's still playing at a pretty damn good clip. I mean, he's the MVP of the league."
"They kind of lucked into having two guys peel on Kyren (Williams) right there (on the failed 4th-and-4 in the fourth quarter). I know that can't be part of their design, so fortuitous bust by them. But... they're an excellent team and you don't take away anything." - McVay
On the failed fourth down with five minutes remaining, the play was drawn up for Williams, but two Seattle defenders followed him, and McVay said that was unlucky break for the Rams, as it was likely wasn't designed that way. Stafford ended up improvising and targeting tight end Terrance Ferguson in the end zone, but the pass was broken up and the Seahawks drained the majority of the clock from there.
The muffed punt early in the half by Xavier Smith was another "costly" play that McVay discussed. Getting a stop coming out of the second half, he thought they were going to gain some momentum with the ball back in the offense's hands, but Seattle recovered the muff instead and made it a two-score game.
"It was a battle the whole game. It wasn't like we were all just waiting for one play here or there. There was a million plays in a football game that can turn the tide and we had our opportunities, didn't make them." - Stafford
Stafford felt like the Rams moved the ball better today than they did in some of the team's previous two playoff games, but they didn't convert on the big opportunities. On the failed fourth down that ended up essentially costing L.A. the game, he agreed with McVay's assessment: "I mean that's just a mishap by them but lucked into covering our guy," but added that they had "a couple chances down there (and) didn't make it happen."
"I told (Smith) I love him (after the muffed punt), and I do. Guy wants to go out there and make every play he possibly can, and sometimes it doesn't happen. Been in those situations and doesn't change how I feel about the human being or the person or the player. Love the guy, trust him, and wish nothing but the best for him honestly." - Stafford
Still processing the heartbreaking loss, Stafford couldn't put into words his personal experience this season. "I can't generalize six months of my life ten minutes after a loss," he said. "So appreciate the guys in the locker room a whole hell of a lot. Everybody that helped me and helped our team be as successful as we were this year." That included Smith, and there were no fingers being pointed after his mistake.
