Sean McVay Says NFL Told Rams the Late DPI Call Was Wrong

Los Angeles coach Sean McVay says the NFL told the Rams that a late defensive pass-interference flag against cornerback Josh Wallace should not have been thrown. The call erased Wallace’s interception and helped Denver finish a comeback win over Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27.

The Associated Press and Reuters both reported McVay’s account Thursday, October 1. With the Rams ahead 26–23 late in the fourth quarter, Wallace intercepted a pass from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Officials called Wallace for defensive pass interference, returning the ball to Denver. The Broncos scored the winning touchdown on the drive and left with a 30–26 victory.

The distinction matters: the league’s response, as reported, came privately to the Rams through McVay. There has not been a public NFL ruling cited in the coverage. The coach described seeking feedback after the game, not a way to reverse its result.

Why one flag can dominate the conversation

Officials make fast decisions in crowded, high-speed situations, and not every close call changes a game. This one did: a potential turnover became a fresh set of downs near the end of a close finish. When a call has that much impact, fans want to understand what the league saw and how the standard is being applied.

Kris’s Take

The Rams can’t get the win back, but a private acknowledgment is a thin form of accountability for a call that changed the final minutes. The NFL should explain game-altering rulings publicly and consistently, including when a review finds a flag was wrong. That won’t make officiating perfect; it would at least let fans see the standard the league says it expects.

Sources

This original Kris Rally report is based on coverage by the Associated Press and Reuters.