Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay challenged his team and more directly his franchise quarterback in Jared Goff after a rough performance.
Goff threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in the Rams’ 23-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon at SoFi stadium.
The Rams (7-4) totaled four turnovers on the day, as running back Malcolm Brown also fumbled and the 49ers (5-6) took advantage of a pick six from Javon Kinlaw on the first possession of the second half.
”Our quarterback has to take better care of the football,” McVay said postgame.
”Anytime that you turn it over as many times as we did, and he did, it’s just got to be better, and he’s capable of it,” McVay added. ”But we’ve got to be able to get it done.”
Goff finished 19 of 31 for 198 yards and has now tallied 10 interceptions and four lost fumbles on the season.
“It comes down to us executing and ultimately myself executing and taking care of the football and throwing it where it needs to be thrown and being smart with it,” said Goff.
“They’re all different,” Goff said about his turnovers. “At the end of the day, they need to be eliminated. I don’t think there’s one thing that needs to stop, it just needs to be a little bit smarter with the ball and better decision-making.”
Rookie tailback Cam Akers had nine carries for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Robert Woods finished with seven receptions for 80 yards, while Cooper Kupp was quiet with two for 41 for the Rams receivers.
San Francisco play caller Nick Mullen’s finished 24 of 35 for 252 yards and one interception while constantly being pressured by Aaron Donald and a superior Rams defense that forced three turnovers.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel returned to action after missing three weeks and had 11 catches and 133 yards.
Raheem Mostert also returned after missing four weeks and gave the 49ers a 7-3 lead after scoring on an 8-yard rush.
Kinlaw then picked off Goff and ran it back for a touchdown to take a 14-3 lead, followed by a Robbie Gould field goal to take a 17-3 advantage with 4:30 left in the third.
Rams kicker Matt Gay responded with a field Goal and Donald then made a tremendous sack that led to Troy Hill scooping it up for a 20 yard touchdown return to cut their deficit to 17-13.
“The defense played lights-out all day,” Kupp said. “What they were able to do to the Niners was incredible. As an offense, we have to capitalize on those upswings. We have to do a better job.”
Akers then capped off a 17-0 run after breaking a 61 yard run, then finishing off the drive with a 1-yard rushing score to give the Rams a brief 20-17 lead with 14:17 left in the fourth.
The 49ers responded and tied the game at 20-all with a field goal with 3:11 remaining and then forced the Rams to punt the ball away.
“We’re not going to win many games when we take care of the football like that, so give them credit,” McVay said. “But in a lot of instances we didn’t do enough to win the football game, I don’t care who you’re playing.”
Mullen’s then engineered an 11 play, 56 yard drive that would set up Gould’s game winning 42-yard field goal as time expired for a 23-20 win over Los Angeles.
The Rams next will travel to Arizona for another important divisional showdown against the Cardinals (6-5) who are in need of a win after dropping two straight games.
Kick-off from State Farm Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 pacific time.
