Five Flags in Two Minutes: McVay Won't Blame the Refs for the Denver Loss

Josh Wallace intercepted Bo Nix on third-and-6 from the Rams' 11 late Sunday. A flag took it away. Wallace was called for pass interference on Pat Bryant, Denver got first-and-goal at the 7, and the Broncos scored to go up 30-26 with 47 seconds left.

Sean McVay watched the play again Monday and stopped short of saying the call was wrong. He also didn't say it was right.

"I wouldn't have any additional coaching points for how Josh plays through the cycle of the snap," he said. "But I'm not going to make excuses either and we're not going to play the victim card."

It was part of a strange finish. The Rams were flagged five times in the final two minutes, tied for the most by any team in a game since 2000, according to ESPN Research. Referee Bill Vinovich's crew usually doesn't call much late in games: it threw just one flag in the final two minutes during the entire 2024 season.

Injury check

The Rams are 1-2 and have injuries to deal with. Cornerback Jaylen Watson dislocated his arm in the second quarter and probably won't play this week, though he's not headed to injured reserve. Tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) is expected to sit, and tight end Colby Parkinson (AC joint) is day-to-day.

There is good news. McVay said he's hopeful Puka Nacua, out two games with groin soreness, can play after a good pregame workout.

They'll need him. The Rams play at Philadelphia on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, against an Eagles team coming off its own bad night against the Bears.