Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay won't use his team's tight travel schedule as an excuse for a "humbling" experience in Melbourne, as the Super Bowl favourites lick their wounds from a failed hit-and-run mission.
Almost nothing went right on Friday for the Rams, who arrived from California just 28 hours before kick-off in their season-opening 27-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG.
The move was in stark contrast to their NFC West rivals, who spent a full week Down Under to acclimatise.
McVay conceded his team was outplayed in every phase of the game but denied the Rams' preparation was to blame.
"I don't believe that's why we didn't play well enough, I really don't," McVay said.
"I will always make decisions that I think are best for the football team and it's easy in hindsight to be able to say that it was a miss.
"But those are the responsibilities that I will take, and then you try to look at it.
"I'll always look at myself inside out and figure out where I can try to improve."
The Rams attempted to keep their body clocks on California time for the 10.35am (local) kick-off, and held one practice session in Melbourne before taking the field.
"I thought we were ready to go but just didn't play good enough," McVay said.
"We give the Niners credit. They were sharp in all three phases."
A massive crowd of 100,021 fans was on hand for the NFL's first regular-season fixture in Australia and McVay felt the Rams let down local supporters.
"I apologise for not putting on a better performance," McVay said.
"It was an amazing atmosphere and you could just feel there was a buzz even when we got in.
"Unfortunately it wasn't a good day for us but you could definitely feel the fans and we're very appreciative of that."
The Rams will be out to get their season back on track when they host the New York Giants in week two.
"This will only define us if we allow it to," McVay said of his team's 0-1 start.
"I'm looking forward to leaning in and getting back to work.
"Today was humbling but sometimes life can do that to you.
"We've got a lot of football left and we're not going to allow this one game to do anything other help us learn and grow."
