The Los Angeles Rams opened the 2026 season with a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, leaving Sean McVay and his team with plenty to evaluate heading into Week 2. While the result was not what the Rams wanted, McVay frequently emphasizes one important message following adversity: “controlling their response”.
That response will be especially important for a Rams team that has high expectations entering the season. McVay and his coaching staff must find ways to correct the mistakes from
Week 1 while making sure the loss does not carry over into Monday night’s matchup against the New York Giants. For the players, the challenge is equally simple: learn from the mistakes, move forward and respond with urgency.
I was curious to know how Sean McVay was motivated following a loss to his rival, Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. Since both coaches were hired by their respective teams in 2017, here is how McVay has responded after losing to Shanahan.
2017: Week 17 | 34-13 loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 26-13 (playoff) loss to Falcons
After choosing to rest their starters in the regular season finale, the Rams could not get their offense moving against Matt Ryan and the Falcons.
2019: Week 6 | 20-7 loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 37-10 win over Falcons
The Rams went into Atlanta and dominated. This was the first game that Jalen Ramsey played in horns.
2019: Week 16 | 34-31 loss @ 49ers
Next Game: 31-24 win over Cardinals
The Rams were knocked out of the playoff race after their Week 16 to the 49ers and there was not much to play for in the regular season finale other than having a winning season. Sean McVay made sure of that.
2020: Week 6 | 24-16 loss @ 49ers
Next Game: 24-10 win over Bears
The Rams faced Nick Foles and the Bears in primetime. The offense was able to slow down Khalil Mack off the edge in order to get back in the win column.
2020: Week 12 | 23-20 loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 38-28 win over Cardinals
Troy Hill had a pick 6 and the Rams scored 21 points in the 4th quarter to clip the birds yet again.
2021: Week 10 | 31-10 loss @ 49ers
Next Game: 36-28 loss to Packers
After storming out to a 7-1 record, the Rams then lost to the Titans, 49ers, and then Packers. A lot of people thought the Rams were frauds but the 3 game skid led to a 5 game win streak.
2021: Week 18 | 27-24 (OT) loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 34-11 (playoff) win over Cardinals
The Rams were pissed for having lost Week 18 to the 49ers. They still secured the NFC West division crown but they became the 4th seed in the NFC. As it turned out they stomped the Cardinals in the Wild Card round.
2022: Week 4 | 24-9 loss @ 49ers
Next Game: 22-10 loss to Cowboys
Aaron Donald registered two sacks but that was enough to beat Cooper Rush and the Cowboys…
2022: Week 8 | 31-14 loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 16-13 loss to Buccaneers
The 2022 was a disaster but none was more unsettling than watching the team hand a game to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers after seemingly having the game secured towards the end of the 4th quarter.
2023: Week 2 | 30-23 loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 19-16 loss to Bengals
Apparently Tutu Atwell stepped out bounds… I still will never understand how that call was reversed.
2025: Week 5 | 26-23 (OT) loss vs. 49ers
Next Game: 17-3 win over Ravens
Puka Nacua was injured midway through the 2nd quarter but the Rams defense held Tyler Huntley and the Ravens offense to just 3 points. After this game, the Rams offense made the switch to using 13 personnel more frequently.
In 11 losses to San Francisco, Sean McVay and the Rams are 6-5* in the ensuing games. The 2017 loss to San Francisco was purely out of a decision to rest their starters before the playoffs. At least its more likely than not that the Rams will pick up a win against the New York Giants this week after losing to the 49ers in Week 1 at Melbourne, Australia.
