McVay on Puka ejection: ‘He’s emotional and that’s what we love about him’

Rams head coach Sean McVay wasn’t upset with Puka Nacua after L.A.’s OT win over Seahawks

After a “unique, weird” win on Sunday, Rams head coach Sean McVay told the media that Puka Nacua’s ejection just before halftime was a learning opportunity for the receiver: “He’s emotional that’s one of the things we love about him, but he’ll be able to learn from that.

The Rams managed to recover from a 13-3 halftime deficit after losing Puka and won the game 26-20 on a game-winning overtime catch by Demarcus Robinson. But McVay seemed relatively calm after LA’s exciting victory, improving the Rams to 4-4 and second in the NFC West standings behind the Cardinals.

The head coach reflected on what sounds like a memorable experience, and is both aware that his team could’ve played better, but he also doesn’t overlook the challenge Seattle presented and his team’s ability to finish in the end.

“What a unique, weird game that was. What a job by our group to be able come away with the win. I thought our defense was outstanding, you know really, when you look at it as a whole it will be a great learning opportunity for Puka…he’s emotional that’s one of the things we love about him, but he’ll be able to learn from that. But I really thought both defenses controlled the game for the most part.

And there were spurts that were…who we want to be offensively, but really when you look at it to start the football game kinda back and forth not really getting anything going on either side, and then for the half to end the way that it did, very uncharacteristic of what we expect of our football team. Here’s what I was really proud of, I was really proud of the way that we came out in the second half.”

How did the head coach handle the high and lows that were featured in Sunday’s contest? McVay talked about embodying what he wants his team to be and that’s being resilient and being ready to come back with the right response after making would could be deemed as a mistake.

“I think you wanna be what you ask your payers to be, and that’s doing the next right thing.”

For McVay and the Rams this game went from what may have been a demoralizing loss to what the team certainly hopes is a momentum sustaining win. Through eight games played the Rams may not be where they want to be at 4-4, but after starting their season 1-3, perhaps LA is where it needs to be in order to keep their playoff hopes alive and well.

There should be plenty more weird and unique situations ahead for LA. Their next one might just be in Week 10 when the Rams take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.