There’s no question the Los Angeles Rams’ offense was primarily to blame for the team’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon, even if it was the defense that couldn’t come up with a stop in the final minute. They gained just nine first downs and had 206 total yards, struggling to string together positive plays.
One pivotal moment in the game came late in the fourth quarter when the Rams were trying to run down the clock. With 1:46 left, Sean McVay called a jet sweep to Cooper Kupp, which went for 5 yards to the right side.
Kupp got around the edge and turned the corner, but he didn’t believe he could get the first down so he slid in bounds to force the Bucs to take their last timeout. McVay doesn’t seem to think that was the right decision, saying he should’ve given his players “better clarity” late in the game, specifically on that play.
“Overall, it should’ve never gotten down to that,” McVay said of the defense being unable to get a stop late. “We should’ve been able to close out that game. Should’ve given some better clarity on some of the different things, especially when we were able to circle the edge on the jet sweep because even if we did get the first down and get out of bounds, we’d still be able to run out the clock, but those are things that I’ve got to be better as a head coach to be able to create clarity.”
Watching the play again, it’s hard to say whether Kupp could’ve gotten the first down. He certainly wouldn’t have if he continued up the sideline and there’s no question he would’ve been shoved out of bounds had he tried.
But if he cut upfield and tried to fight for the necessary yardage, he may have had a chance. And had he picked up the first down, the Rams would’ve been able to run out the clock and end the game.
Hindsight is always 20-20 and Kupp was just trying to do the smart thing, but perhaps he overthought it.
