The RAMS Forum

We almost lost this game due to McVay's arrogance going for it on 4th and 3 call just before halftime. 20-7 instead of 17-14 is huge. The momentum swung after he went for it. Carolina went down and scored. We came out flat on the first possession of the second half. Instead of having a laugher of a game we were thrown into a dogfight.

malibu wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 10:16 am We almost lost this game due to McVay's arrogance going for it on 4th and 3 call just before halftime. 20-7 instead of 17-14 is huge. The momentum swung after he went for it. Carolina went down and scored. We came out flat on the first possession of the second half. Instead of having a laugher of a game we were thrown into a dogfight.

I don't understand that call at all .. you have the lead, a guy who has LITERALLY been automatic since you brought him in and you refuse to take the gimme points

horrible coaching is all that was.. you go up 20-7 and make Carolina drive the field.

The rule is simple. On the road, with the lead, you ALWAYS take the points.
McVay continues to think he can outsmart everyone. Only a fool believes that.

Look if it is 4th and 1 maybe discuss going for it but 4th and 3 forget it go up by 13 going into the half potentially.

GoldenRam wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 4:17 pm

malibu wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 10:16 am We almost lost this game due to McVay's arrogance going for it on 4th and 3 call just before halftime. 20-7 instead of 17-14 is huge. The momentum swung after he went for it. Carolina went down and scored. We came out flat on the first possession of the second half. Instead of having a laugher of a game we were thrown into a dogfight.

I don't understand that call at all .. you have the lead, a guy who has LITERALLY been automatic since you brought him in and you refuse to take the gimme points

I actually didn’t have an issue with the call. I was telling the TV we should go for it. Main reason the wind was really gusting at the time with a front coming through. Hindsight is 20/20 but we are usually pretty good at 4th and 3.

The wind would not make much of a difference the ball was on the 19 yardline this was a chip shot an easy 3 pts

What will happen if a very similar situation comes up in Chicago?

Please take the points. Please.

malibu wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 6:41 pm The wind would not make much of a difference the ball was on the 19 yardline this was a chip shot an easy 3 pts

I understand...we say that until the FG is actually missed. Like I said, hindsight is 20/20. I just liked our chances on 4th and 3 and chance to make it a blow out. It didnt work.

I also think it depends on the team we are playing, how our defense is playing, and where on the field we are at the time. (I thought Chicago going for it on 4th down on their own 35 yard line was stupid.) By the way, expect Chicago to go for it on 4th down a lot this weekend.

It seems that everyone is going for it on 4th and 3 or 4 these days. I just don't get it. If you are inside a 45 yard FG attempt, unless it's desperation time, take the freaking points. ALL of these games came down to the final possession.

Idaho_Ram wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 8:23 am It seems that everyone is going for it on 4th and 3 or 4 these days. I just don't get it. If you are inside a 45 yard FG attempt, unless it's desperation time, take the freaking points. ALL of these games came down to the final possession.

I guess it comes down to the % successful rate, and the results from that gamble.

Like you said, everybody is now going for it on 4th and 3 .

Alora of factors that takes a smarter man than I to consider why these teams are now going for it.

Success rate.
How many times does it result in a td vs fg.
How often does a fail result in opposition score.
How much time on clock.

The thi g about it in the Rams case, if it were successful, and the Rams use up the clock while scoring a TD, its a smart decision. As we know, just the opposite tesulted.

malibu wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 10:16 am We almost lost this game due to McVay's arrogance going for it on 4th and 3 call just before halftime. 20-7 instead of 17-14 is huge. The momentum swung after he went for it. Carolina went down and scored. We came out flat on the first possession of the second half. Instead of having a laugher of a game we were thrown into a dogfight.

We did? Here is a thought? Maybe Avila’s penalty was just as big………

Here is another thought? You do watch other games around the league and see everyone going for it on 4th down? I’m not saying I agree but for bleeping sake McVay isn’t the only one who does this………

Honest serious question. Have you ever played or coached sports?

Bulldawg wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 5:12 pm

GoldenRam wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 4:17 pm

I don't understand that call at all .. you have the lead, a guy who has LITERALLY been automatic since you brought him in and you refuse to take the gimme points

I actually didn’t have an issue with the call. I was telling the TV we should go for it. Main reason the wind was really gusting at the time with a front coming through. Hindsight is 20/20 but we are usually pretty good at 4th and 3.

I did have an issue with the call but it’s not the reason why we lost momentum or almost lost the game…….

NorCal RF wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 8:43 am

malibu wrote: ↑January 11th, 2026, 10:16 am We almost lost this game due to McVay's arrogance going for it on 4th and 3 call just before halftime. 20-7 instead of 17-14 is huge. The momentum swung after he went for it. Carolina went down and scored. We came out flat on the first possession of the second half. Instead of having a laugher of a game we were thrown into a dogfight.

We did? Here is a thought? Maybe Avila’s penalty was just as big………

Here is another thought? You do watch other games around the league and see everyone going for it on 4th down? I’m not saying I agree but for bleeping sake McVay isn’t the only one who does this………

Honest serious question. Have you ever played or coached sports?

Agreed

I wanted the fg too, but every coach in the playoffs went for it on 4th down, at least once this past playoff week. Nearly every team passed up a fg, at least once, this past week, to go for it on 4th down.
It's analytics, it's what coaches do now.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 8:51 am

NorCal RF wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 8:43 am

We did? Here is a thought? Maybe Avila’s penalty was just as big………

Here is another thought? You do watch other games around the league and see everyone going for it on 4th down? I’m not saying I agree but for bleeping sake McVay isn’t the only one who does this………

Honest serious question. Have you ever played or coached sports?

Agreed

I wanted the fg too, but every coach in the playoffs went for it on 4th down, at least once this past playoff week. Nearly every team passed up a fg, at least once, this past week, to go for it on 4th down.
It's analytics, it's what coaches do now.

I just get tired that the same poster every week thinks he has the answers and is always finding something to nitpick while the rest of the league has their own flaws…..

In order to be more successful on 4th and short, we need a big imposing slobber-knocking Stevan Jackson-type RB. Our diminutive little elves are not built for the necessary line of scrimmage abuse that awaits these tight scenarios.

Why not invest in a bruiser in the 3rd round?

Claremontram wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 9:32 am In order to be more successful on 4th and short, we need a big imposing slobber-knocking Stevan Jackson-type RB. Our diminutive little elves are not built for the necessary line of scrimmage abuse that awaits these tight scenarios.

Why not invest in a bruiser in the 3rd round?

I agree. I don’t think we are very good running on 4th and 1. Makes me nervous every time.

I think the answer to your question is it takes up a roster spot. Who are you going to cut? (I think next year we will see Hunter more like we did Corum this year. (We don’t need Rivera.)

Bulldawg wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 10:03 am

Claremontram wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 9:32 am In order to be more successful on 4th and short, we need a big imposing slobber-knocking Stevan Jackson-type RB. Our diminutive little elves are not built for the necessary line of scrimmage abuse that awaits these tight scenarios.

Why not invest in a bruiser in the 3rd round?

I agree. I don’t think we are very good running on 4th and 1. Makes me nervous every time.

I think the answer to your question is it takes up a roster spot. Who are you going to cut? (I think next year we will see Hunter more like we did Corum this year. (We don’t need Rivera.)

Hmmmmmm, how about Tutu?.

DelMar wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 10:06 am

Bulldawg wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 10:03 am
I agree. I don’t think we are very good running on 4th and 1. Makes me nervous every time.

I think the answer to your question is it takes up a roster spot. Who are you going to cut? (I think next year we will see Hunter more like we did Corum this year. (We don’t need Rivera.)

Hmmmmmm, how about Tutu?.

Good point but McVay’s will replace him with a 1st round WR pick. :-)

If KW doesn't whiff his block, Dedich didn't just block grass and Stafford hit one of the 2 open wrs, would we be having this conversation?

Bulldawg wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 10:11 am

DelMar wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 10:06 am

Hmmmmmm, how about Tutu?.

Good point but McVay’s will replace him with a 1st round WR pick. :-)

BD!.........

If that FG meant going up by 3 scores.. then McVay kicks it. 10 or 13 not a big diff.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 11:06 am If KW doesn't whiff his block, Dedich didn't just block grass and Stafford hit one of the 2 open wrs, would we be having this conversation?

Im glad Blaine thinks McVay made the right call with Puka and Higs open but as McVay always says the other team has a say and in this case a safety blitz combined on a whiffed block is their say. My issue is twofold the distance 3 yards is not a gimme and secondly we would be putting g a little more pressure on them to make up the 13 but we were guaranteed the ball in a minute and half of play. I saw teams going for it on their own 48 yard line that is stupid there has to be so thing said for a punt and field position with a good one you are forcing a team to go 80- 90 yards for a TD.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 11:06 am If KW doesn't whiff his block, Dedich didn't just block grass and Stafford hit one of the 2 open wrs, would we be having this conversation?

Im glad Blaine thinks McVay made the right call with Puka and Higs open but as McVay always says the other team has a say and in this case a safety blitz combined on a whiffed block is their say. My issue is twofold the distance 3 yards is not a gimme and secondly we would be putting a little more pressure on them to make up the 13. Secondarily we were guaranteed the ball in a minute and half of play due to halftime. I saw teams going for it this weekend on 4th down on their own 48 yard line that is stupid there has to be so thing said for a punt and field position with a good one you are forcing a team to go 80- 90 yards for a TD.

Also I've looked at the link provide Higs wasn't open whatsoever not sure what he is talking about. And none of the other wrs who ran deeper routes seemed very open. Yes Kyren missed the safety to degree but did get a piece of him to slow him down it wasn't a whiff. Stafford didn't throw it quick enough and the reason was bc none of the wrs were really open. McVay should have called a quick slant to avoid any blitz or a short speed out for a catch and run for a first. Sometimes I think McVay doesnt think things out right the goal should always be to avoid getting Stafford off his spot and avoiding any type of blitz in short 4th and whatever imo. Last year in the Philly game McVay called for sending Kyren out to the right flat instead of blocking why? He wasn't the primary and we lose his blocking skills which again should be priority #1 so even though our Center was out of position Kyren may have been able to help to pick up the block on Jalen Carter. Priority #1 imo should be to protect Stafford make sure he has time to throw. Leaving him exposed created an incomplete pass in both critical instances. Relying solely on the OL to hold up is stupid. We have a great OL but in critical 4t downs to goal should be to make sure Stafford gets the pass off without needing to move. If the wr doesnt make the play or Stafford throws a bad ball or the DB or Safety knocks it away at least Stafford had the optimum shot to do his best.

malibu wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 4:51 pm

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 12th, 2026, 11:06 am If KW doesn't whiff his block, Dedich didn't just block grass and Stafford hit one of the 2 open wrs, would we be having this conversation?

Im glad Blaine thinks McVay made the right call with Puka and Higs open but as McVay always says the other team has a say and in this case a safety blitz combined on a whiffed block is their say. My issue is twofold the distance 3 yards is not a gimme and secondly we would be putting g a little more pressure on them to make up the 13 but we were guaranteed the ball in a minute and half of play. I saw teams going for it on their own 48 yard line that is stupid there has to be so thing said for a punt and field position with a good one you are forcing a team to go 80- 90 yards for a TD.

I hear what you are saying. I also posted Mcvay take on it. He doesn't regret it.

With the Rams D, as bad as it is, and Special Teams poor blocking (as we seen on block punt), Mcvay isn't going to take his foot off the gas. He is going for the kill shot. He trusts the ball in the offense hands more than the D or special teams. Based off Mcvay reply, I expect it to continue throughout the playoffs. As pointed out before, Mcvay is been a lot more aggressive this year 4th downs. He no longer trust the D and he no longer trust special teams. He trusts Stafford and the offense.

There's a video (below) of Stafford kneeling to end the game. Shows Stafford pretending to kneel right away, but not. Trying to drain every last second off bc Carolina still had timeouts, and Mcvay didn't even want a second left on 4th bc that might mean he has to punt.

Wow. Dedich and Williams whiffed.

Still, it was 4th and 3, not 4th and 1, and the muffed punt was a gift. They needed to grab the points with that gift, even if it was 3 instead of 7.