Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly, sparked backlash online after suggesting NFL officials played a role in the Los Angeles Rams’ narrow defeat to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Rams suffered a heartbreaking 38–37 overtime loss at Lumen Field on Thursday night, a game in which Seattle erased a large deficit to overtake Los Angeles in the NFC West standings. While the Seahawks were praised for their dramatic comeback, the outcome was overshadowed by several officiating decisions that left Rams players, coaches, and fans frustrated.

Two rulings in particular drew criticism. Early in the game, Los Angeles appeared to score on a fourth-and-goal play from the one-yard line, only for officials to negate the touchdown due to an illegal man downfield penalty. The call surprised many watching, including Prime Video analyst and former referee Terry McAulay, who publicly stated he did not believe a foul had occurred.

Later, an even more confusing sequence unfolded in the fourth quarter during a Seattle two-point conversion attempt.

What initially looked like a failed try—after Rams rookie Jared Verse deflected Sam Darnold’s pass—was later overturned following a replay review. Officials ruled the play a backward pass, allowing Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet’s recovery in the end zone to count, despite the whistle not yet blowing.

Following the game, Kelly Stafford took to Instagram to share her displeasure. Posting a video of referees animatedly signaling a Seahawks reception in overtime, she questioned the officials’ impartiality and implied earlier controversial rulings now “made sense.” She also sarcastically asked whether the referees involved should be investigated, before later acknowledging the post was fueled by frustration and calling herself “petty.”

The disputed two-point conversion proved pivotal, helping Seattle tie the game and eventually force overtime. After trailing 30–14 late, the Seahawks scored, successfully converted the two-point try after review, and later sealed the victory.
Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed confusion rather than anger in his postgame comments.

He admitted the sequence was unlike anything he had experienced in football and said the team did not receive a clear explanation at the time. While emphasizing that he does not believe in making excuses, McVay noted that the Rams want clarity moving forward to better understand how such situations are handled.
Frustration was also evident inside the Rams locker room.

Wide receiver Puka Nacua appeared to take a subtle jab at the officiating in a social media post shortly after the final whistle. When asked about it later, Nacua clarified that his comments reflected missed opportunities and situations where the team allowed the game to hinge on officiating rather than execution.

Despite the controversy, the loss underscored how thin the margins were in one of the season’s most dramatic games—and how officiating decisions can quickly become part of the narrative when stakes are high.