Super Bowl favorite Rams' latest loss has Sean McVay searching for ways 'not to beat ourselves'

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — After congratulating the Arizona Cardinals, Sean McVay explained in one sentence why the Los Angeles Rams lost 18-16 on Sunday.

“You know, we won’t win a game unless we figure out how not to beat ourselves,” he said.

That’s been the case in each of the Rams’ past three defeats, the past two coming in seven days by a total of five points on their home field. Erratic play on offense and defense, haphazard special teams, inopportune penalties, untimely injuries and bad decisions have all left the preseason Super Bowl favorites in a big hole.

“I think outside of expectations of our record, we’re just not playing the type of ball that we want to put out,” defensive end Kobie Turner said. “That’s not the quality of ball that we expect. So, got to go back to the drawing board.”

In many ways, the Rams’ loss to the Cardinals was a continuation of their 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, which ended with left tackle Alaric Jackson punching Buffalo linebacker Bradley Chubb after the game and getting suspended for one game.

Jackson’s absence forced 36-year-old journeyman David Quessenberry into the starting lineup, and it left the Rams (2-4) struggling against the Cardinals’ blitz packages.

“It felt like it was the first two series, three-and-out, not being able to gather any momentum, and then just putting ourselves behind the sticks, so they’re being able to chuck up the look and kind of get what they wanted from us in the third-and-long and the passing downs,” wide receiver Puka Nacua said.

The offense only got going when it was in desperation mode, a recurring theme over the Rams' past four games, including a 30-26 loss at Denver and a frantic 24-20 comeback win at Philadelphia.

Special teams struggled once again, following a brief moment of hope provided by new kicker Blake Grupe when he nailed a 44-yard field goal on the Rams’ second possession. Grupe was signed on Tuesday following another poor showing from Harrison Mevis against Buffalo.

But coverage breakdowns on the ensuing kickoff forced Grupe to tackle Devin Duvernay near midfield. The kicker sustained a knee injury on the play, knocking him out for the game and seemingly threatening his availability going forward. Grupe had a large brace on his right knee in the locker room.

Punter Ethan Evans was forced to assume kicking duties, drastically changing the Rams’ approach on offense and special teams. He did make a go-ahead extra point with 47 seconds remaining, only for the defense to give up a 21-yard completion and 15-yard personal foul on the same play to set up Arizona’s game-winning field goal as time expired.

“It’s tough, especially when you give yourselves a chance at the end there,” tight end Colby Parkinson said. “But it doesn’t come down to one drive, one play. We all have to play better, especially on the offensive side.”

In another potentially ominous sign for the offense, wide receiver Davante Adams hobbled to the sideline favoring his left knee late in the fourth quarter.

The defense wasn’t blameless, despite holding the Cardinals to six field goals. Aaron Donald and the Rams allowed four drives of at least 10 plays and were unable to get off the field for long stretches.

Even circumstances seem to be conspiring against the Rams. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, arguably their best player over the first five weeks, was a late scratch because of a groin injury he picked up in practice on Friday. Not having McDuffie meant Josh Wallace took on an expanded role, and he was the defender at fault on the pass and penalty that put Arizona in position for its late kick.

Turner said the inability to get all three facets of the team playing effectively at the same time is why the Rams are in their current position.

“It’s a matter of playing complementary ball,” he said. “We have to be able to put our offense in advantageous positions, and they have to be able to capitalize off of it. … So, yeah, we got to find a game where we’re both on and we’re all firing on all cylinders.”

The lack of consistency, even in identifying the team’s issues, is what seems to be bothering McVay most.

“We’ve had some really critical errors at really unfortunate times, but that’s what our narrative has been for this year,” he said. “And we can’t keep saying that we haven’t done that before. Well, this year we are doing it, and so we have to be able to fix it. And it’s my job to do that.”

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, has his face mask grabbed by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jack Gibbens during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts toward teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe (19) walks off the field with trainers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — On a night when the Dallas Cowboys’ beleaguered defense finally showed signs of life, their star-studded offense let them down.

Dak Prescott threw two interceptions in the Cowboys’ 23-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. The Cowboys were scoreless in a first half for the first time since Nov. 7, 2021, when they trailed 16-0 at the half of a 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos.

The Cowboys trailed 7-0 and faced second-and-8 from Green Bay’s 17 when Prescott took a big hit from Zaire Franklin. On the next play, Evan Williams intercepted Prescott's pass that was intended for CeeDee Lamb.

Dallas trailed 10-0 on its next possession and had first-and-15 from Green Bay’s 28 when Lamb fell on a route, enabling Packers rookie Brandon Cisse to make his first career interception.

Prescott went 34 of 54 for 258 yards. His only touchdown pass – a 6-yarder to Ryan Flournoy – came in the final minute of the game.

Dallas’ problems on offense were particularly disappointing because its defense responded to adversity Sunday after struggling all season. The defense’s performance offered at least one reason for hope that the Cowboys can still turn things around, particularly because nobody has stood out in the NFC East so far.

The Cowboys (2-4) entered this game allowing a league-high 6.4 yards per play and searching for answers after an embarrassing 24-16 home loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas’ defense held a players-only meeting to discuss how to improve. The Cowboys also brought in veteran defensive assistant Mike Pettine in the days leading up to this game to help out first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Pettine was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator from 2018-20. Parker was a defensive quality control coach with the Packers from 2019-20.

Dallas’ defense responded, though it got some help when three potential touchdown passes by Green Bay’s Jordan Love were dropped — two by Matthew Golden and one from Christian Watson.

Green Bay took the lead for good with a 90-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession, but Dallas’ defense stiffened from there and produced a number of big plays.

Dee Winters got the Cowboys’ first interception of the season when he made a diving catch in front of Golden late in the first quarter. Winters then got up and weaved between multiple defenders to run over 40 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a replay review determined he was touched by Golden while still on the ground.

Quinnen Williams stopped Pierre Strong Jr. for a 1-yard loss when Green Bay had second-and-goal at the 1 in the second quarter. Malik Hooker then made an open-field tackle after Tucker Kraft caught a pass on third-and-goal, causing the Packers to settle for Trey Smack's 25-yard field goal.

Kenny Clark, who spent his first nine NFL seasons in Green Bay, got his first sack of the season in his return to Lambeau Field.

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Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott reacts after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Green Bay Packers' Lukas van Ness stopos Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Green Bay Packers' Evan Williams stops Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers' Evan Williams stops Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott during the second half of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)