Rams seemingly on wrong end of questionable pass interference call, Sean McVay skips press conference

Josh Wallace (30) of the Los Angeles Rams gets called for a pass interference penalty as he covers Pat Bryant (13) of the Denver Broncos. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)AAron Ontiveroz via Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Rams probably should have had a key interception in the final two minutes against the Denver Broncos. But Broncos receiver Pat Bryant pulled off a pretty good acting job.

style="text-align: left;">With the Broncos at the Rams’ 11-yard line, trailing 26-23, Bo Nix threw to Bryant. Rams cornerback Josh Wallace made a great interception on the play, getting a knee in bounds, but a penalty flag came out. And in real time it looked like there was contact, because Bryant threw up his left and fell to the ground.

style="text-align: left;">A closer look showed that Bryant was embellishing.

style="text-align: left;">Bryant actually pulled Wallace into him, then threw up his hand and flopped down as Wallace made what would have been a game-changing interception. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said on the broadcast that he saw no penalty on Wallace.

style="text-align: left;">“We actually see the receiver grab the defender and pull him into him,” McAulay said. “I don’t see the defender do anything that significantly hinders the receiver on this play.”

style="text-align: left;">McAulay clarified that the initial contact early in the play didn’t deserve a flag on Wallace either.

style="text-align: left;">“Just hands on him,” McAulay said. “He doesn’t do anything with it.”

NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay did not believe Rams CB Josh Wallace should have been flagged for pass interference, in what may have otherwise been an interception.

The Broncos went on to score what would serve as the game-winning TD. pic.twitter.com/A0YDJ8ZmZl

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 28, 2026The Rams would have had the ball at their own 8-yard line with 1:09 to go. The Broncos had three timeouts left and could have gotten the ball back, but their odds of winning would have dropped dramatically. Instead, the Broncos got a first down and a few plays later Nix scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give Denver the lead. The Rams had a quick drive to the red zone in the final seconds, but Matthew Stafford was picked off on the final play of the game and the Broncos won 30-26.

style="text-align: left;">What was Rams coach Sean McVay’s reaction to the penalty? We didn’t find out Sunday night, because McVay skipped out on his press conference according to Rams reporter Nate Atkins of The Athletic. A head coach not speaking to the media after a game is highly unusual and can be subject to a fine.

Sean McVay ducked out of his press conference before Rams media could get into it, only 10 minutes after the final whistle.

Not sure I have ever seen that in this league before.

— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) September 28, 2026The Rams are off to a 1-2 start. Losing after a penalty that was questionable at best went against them won’t help their mood.