# McVay blames himself for Rams' Australia disaster

> The Rams coach owns up to a travel strategy that backfired spectacularly in Week 1.
- Title: McVay blames himself for Rams' Australia disaster · NBC Sports
- Summary: The Rams coach owns up to a travel strategy that backfired spectacularly in Week 1. McVay's decision to arrive in Australia just 24 hours before kickoff left…
- Keywords: sean mcvay, los angeles rams, san francisco 49ers, week 1 loss, australia game, travel strategy, nfl, sports, McVay, blames, himself, Rams'
- Source: NBC Sports — https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sean-mcvay-attributes-week-1-loss-to-dumbass-coach-that-makes-travel-plans
- Published: 2026-09-22T08:07:18.713+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sean mcvay, los angeles rams, san francisco 49ers, week 1 loss, australia game, travel strategy, nfl, sports
## Rams arrive in Australia unprepared
The Rams touched down in Australia just 24 hours before their Week 1 game against the 49ers, hoping to avoid jet lag by skipping acclimation entirely. The 49ers took the opposite approach, arriving a week early.
## 49ers dominate with better prep
San Francisco's week-long acclimation gave them a massive edge. The 49ers crushed the Rams 27-7, with Los Angeles looking completely out of sync.
## McVay takes full responsibility
After the loss, McVay admitted his travel decision was a mistake. He called himself a "dumbass coach that makes travel plans that puts you in bad spots."

> Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn and sometimes you have a dumbass coach that makes travel plans that puts you in bad spots.
## Rams bounce back against Giants
Playing at home in Los Angeles on Monday night, the Rams looked like a completely different team. They dominated the Giants 28-6, showing what they're capable of when properly prepared.
## Travel strategy heavily scrutinized
The Rams' decision to minimize acclimation time has faced intense criticism since the Week 1 loss. McVay's admission suggests the team won't repeat that experiment.
## Key takeaway

McVay's decision to arrive in Australia just 24 hours before kickoff left the Rams jet-lagged and unprepared, while the 49ers' week-long acclimation paid off with a dominant 27-7 win.