Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford shared head coach Sean McVay’s uncertainty following a controversial two-point attempt by the Seattle Seahawks during their Week 16 Thursday night matchup.
While Stafford focused on the rule itself, his wife Kelly took a much stronger stance, aligning with wide receiver Puka Nacua’s criticism of the officiating and suggesting the referees’ conduct deserved closer scrutiny.
Kelly Stafford Criticizes Officiating
After a long Seahawks completion that pushed them deep into Rams territory, Kelly Stafford questioned the officials’ reactions.
“I’ve never seen refs celebrate a catch like that,” she wrote on her Instagram story on December 19.
“After that, the blown-dead two-point play and the illegal man downfield call suddenly make more sense. Should this be investigated? Can someone tell me who these refs are?”
Her comments echoed Nacua’s earlier remarks accusing officials of trying to draw attention to themselves, comments that resulted in a $25,000 fine.
Although McVay publicly disapproved of Nacua’s statements, he also expressed support for the receiver, who had already faced criticism for a planned—but never executed—touchdown celebration that referenced antisemitic stereotypes.
Kelly Stafford has previously drawn attention for outspoken remarks, including comments about her husband’s career direction during the prior offseason.
Stafford Questions the Rule
Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, focused on the disputed two-point conversion, saying he was confused by how the play was ruled.
“I honestly just want clarification on the rule,” Stafford said after the game on December 18.
“On two-point tries or late-game situations, I didn’t think you were allowed to advance a fumble. Otherwise, players could just intentionally fumble forward. I guess I don’t understand it well enough. They probably checked with New York, but it definitely caught my attention.”
McVay shared that confusion both immediately after the game and again the following day, when he suggested the situation should be reviewed by the NFL’s competition committee, on which he serves.
“I understand how complicated the rulebook is and how tough officiating can be,” McVay said on December 19. “But that’s not a play we want determining games. It’s something we’ll need to discuss as a committee.”
Rams Face Tough Aftermath
The loss had major consequences for Los Angeles.
The Rams fell from first to fifth in the NFC standings, dropped to second in their division, and lost starting right guard Kevin Dotson to an ankle injury. Despite already clinching a playoff spot, they no longer control their path to home-field advantage, and the defeat opened the door for the San Francisco 49ers.
Although both Stafford and McVay were clearly frustrated by the controversial call, neither used officiating as an excuse in the immediate aftermath. Instead, they emphasized accountability as the team looks to regroup with three regular-season games remaining.
