Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams saw the NFL step in and take action as a result of multiple infractions during their costly loss on the road to the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 16.
Specifically, the league went back over plays involving Rams running back Blake Corum and tight end Terrance Ferguson.
Fortunately for Corum, Ferguson, and the Rams, they were on the right side of the ledger.
NFL Fines Seahawks Players Over Rams’ Blake Corum, Terrance Ferguson
GettyTerrance Ferguson #18 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Houston Texans.
The NFL’s Gameday Accountability portal revealed on December 27 that Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones–a former Rams player–received a $11,593 fine for “unnecessary roughness” over a “late hit” after he leapt onto a pile during a run play by Corum.
Jones had already left his feet before the whistle, but Corum was also in the center of a mass of humanity when the veteran defender decided to do so.
No flags were thrown as a result of Jones’ actions, but the NFL has taken liberties before.
Later in the game, Seahawks cornerback Ty Okada drew a flag for a hit on Ferguson, the Rams’ top pick of the 2025 draft. It was during the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 30-all and the Rams in their own territory.
Per the Gameday Accountability portal on December 27, the NFL fined Okada $5,722 for “unnecessary roughness” over what it deemed to be a “hit on a defenseless player.”
The flag gave the Rams a first down, but the drive ended with a punt from Ethan Evans.
Rams Had Costly Week
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams avoided facing any fines in a game that cost them first place in the NFC West and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference.
That was just the beginning of their issues with the league office, though.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua received a $25,000 fine for his comments in which he said NFL officials were just lawyers looking for camera time and going so far as to call phantom penalties to garner the attention sought.
Nacua spoke candidly about the issue, saying that it “definitely hurt,” and that he was happy to move on, with Christmas serving as a welcome distraction.
“There’s going to be moments of frustration later on in the career, whether it’s ups and downs on my personal half or on the team’s half,” Nacua said during his media availability on December 26. “Just being able to manage those emotions and be able to send that energy in the right direction.”
Sean McVay, Rams Need Help to Get Advantage Back
GettyLos Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Rams’ loss to the Seahawks cost them the top spot in the standings. More importantly, though, it cost them home-field advantage in the postseason leading up to a potential Super Bowl appearance.
The Rams entered the season looking to secure that edge, particularly with the elements factoring into their NFC Divisional Playoffs loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
LA would need more than just winning out to get back into the catbird seat.
They would also need the Seahawks to lose their last two games, since Seattle owns the better divisional and overall record. Otherwise, the Rams will be on course for a road game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NFL Delivers Costly Punishment for 2 Players Over Rams Primetime Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.