Even in victory Sean McVay holds himself accountable after Rams advance

Sean McVay's postgame review was more self-critical than celebratory after the Los Angeles Rams' dramatic overtime win over the Chicago Bears.

While the eventual 20-17 divisional round victory secured the Rams a spot in the NFC Championship Game, McVay's postgame focus was surprisingly inward. Rather than basking in the triumph, the head coach spent much of the press conference critiquing his own performance.

Coming off a hard-fought battle at Soldier Field, McVay openly described his preparation and in-game decision-making as "terrible." He admitted that he struggled to find the right rhythm throughout most of the contest, except for the very first series where the Rams' defense helped stabilize the team.

"I did not like the feel for the flow of the game that I had," he said, emphasizing that his own execution left him frustrated. Despite the victory, he repeatedly highlighted moments where his calls may have put the team at risk.

His most notable self-reproach came during overtime. On the Rams' first possession, a critical third-and-one play ended unsuccessfully, and McVay admitted he should have used a timeout to better manage the situation.

"No excuse for that," he said, acknowledging that the misstep could have cost the team dearly. McVay didn't stop ther, as he continued to reference other decisions he wished he had made differently, admitting he had been "kicking myself" over certain plays.

This candid self-criticism is unusual in a league where coaches often focus on praising their players, yet McVay chose to own the errors entirely.

McVay's brutally honest assessment

Despite his harsh self-evaluation, McVay repeatedly expressed gratitude toward his players for overcoming the challenges and staying focused.

He credited the Rams' defense for keeping the team competitive and acknowledged the resilience of the roster in the face of mistakes.

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had his own struggles early in the game, helped engineer the late drive that set up Harrison Mevis' game-winning field goal, proving the team's ability to rally despite adversity.

McVay's transparency shows his coaching philosophy is centered on accountability and improvement. By openly admitting mistakes, he models a standard for the team, showing that even in victory, there is room to learn and grow.

"I have to be better for our group," he said.

While the Rams managed to advance to the NFC Championship Game, the true story from Sunday's win may be McVay's candidness.

His willingness to critique himself publicly sets a tone of responsibility that may inspire his team as they prepare for the next challenge - a game against the Seattle Seahawks.