Rams coach explains aggressive play calling after loss to Lions

Detroit we came here to try to win the game that's how Los Angeles Rams coach Shawn McVey explained his aggressive play calling following a 26 to20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday with 636 left before halftime in the game tied 3 to3 the Rams faced fourth and four at Detroit's 23 yd line instead of sending out rookie kicker Joshua cardi for a field goal attempt that could have given the Rams a three-point lead McVey opted to go for it Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's pass to Cooper cup fell incomplete thanks to pressure from Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport I thought it was an opportunity to get the ball to one of our best players a guy we have a ton of trust in with the look we wanted but we just didn't execute McVey said we came in here with an aggressive mindset and mentality it didn't feel like we could settle for field goals that's why we came up short the last time and ultimately some of those decisions are what probably led to us not finishing it out tonight the season opening defeat marked the Rams second straight loss at Ford Field with the previous one occurring in last season's wild card game where they lost 24 to 23 in that game nine of their points came from three field F goals by former kicker Brett Maher throughout various points in the game the Rams offense had success against the Lions particularly through the air despite being intercepted by Kirby Joseph Stafford shredded the Lions revamped secondary for 3177 yards and a touchdown a 9yd pass to cup with 430 left in regulation however when they got into the Red Zone the Sams failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities from the start of the game through early in the fourth quarter their Red Zone trips resulted in a field goal a turnover on downs and an interception I really think the one at the end of the half hurt us we turned it over while operating against the clock in a two-minute situation McVey said they did a good job matching up and then there was the penalty we had a walk in touchdown but that penalty cost us that was what kept us from scoring but we ended up coming back on the next Drive Matthew was perfect and Cooper walked in from about 8 yards out or wherever we were there were a lot of good things but credit to them they made critical plays when they had to ultimately we didn't finish the fourth and four in the first half and that was a big one as well the Rams were two for five five on Red Zone opportunities