The Los Angeles Rams emerged with a 34-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but the victory was overshadowed by ongoing struggles from their field goal unit. Head coach Sean McVay didn’t wait for questions to address the issue, making it clear that the team must correct it immediately.
McVay Places Responsibility Squarely on Himself
“It’s got to get better. We’re going to be able to figure out how to fix this, but it can’t continue like this with regards to our kicking operation,” McVay said after the game. “I’m not going to get into blaming anybody specifically. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility. It’s gone on for too long, and we’ve got to be able to fix it.”
McVay acknowledged that the offense and defense performed admirably, praising punter Ethan Evans and the coverage unit, but the kicking struggles remain a glaring problem.
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Joshua Karty’s Struggles Continue
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Rams kicker Joshua Karty leads the NFL with eight missed kicks this season, entering Sunday’s game 10-for-14 on field goals and 19-for-21 on extra points. During the Saints’ matchup, he missed a 39-yard field goal and an extra point in the second quarter, turning what should have been a smooth lead into moments of tension.
McVay warned of the consequences: “It’s cost us already, and it’s been a momentum killer. Our guys have shown they can respond and overcome it, but this is not sustainable.”
The Complexity of the Problem
While fans may focus on Karty, McVay stressed the need to examine the entire operation. “It takes all 11. There are instances I could go in-depth on what occurred, but that doesn’t move us forward. Ultimately, I have to figure this out collectively with our coaches,” he said.
The challenges go beyond missed kicks: blocking breakdowns, poor snaps, and timing issues all contribute to the inconsistencies. Simply replacing Karty would not resolve the systemic problems, McVay noted.
Road Ahead
As the Rams prepare for Week 10 on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, McVay’s message is clear: the kicking game must improve, and swift adjustments are coming if it does not. Whether through new techniques, personnel changes, or even a potential competition, the Rams are under no illusion—special teams cannot continue to jeopardize a team performing strongly on both offense and defense.
“It’s been a step back, and that’s disappointing and unfortunate,” McVay said. “Time’s up. We have to fix it now.”
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