The Los Angeles Rams showcased an unusual strategy during their recent victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. They used three different players for their kicking duties. Brandon McManus handled the scoring kicks expertly, converting all four attempts, which included three extra points and a short field goal. Meanwhile, Joshua Karty was primarily responsible for kickoffs but fell short on two of his five attempts, which failed to reach the landing zone. Ethan Evans took care of the punting duties, a role he has maintained all season.
This strategy is rare in the NFL, where teams typically have one player responsible for both kickoffs and field goals. Rams head coach Sean McVay provided insight into their decision following their 24-9 win at SoFi Stadium. He emphasized the team’s need to improve their kick coverage, saying, “The thought process behind it was we had not been having any success covering kicks. We’ve got to be better in that area, but you did see when we were able to cover it, because he hits a really good ball that’s hard to field . . . They’re not going to be able to field it clean and we’re getting a start before they’re getting their return set up, that was the thinking behind it. But obviously we did not want to have two plays that put it on the 40, where you’re kicking it short of the landing zone.”
The Rams’ reliance on multiple kickers highlights their enduring struggle with special teams. In the past two seasons, inadequate investment in this aspect of the game led to significant setbacks. A punt return touchdown contributed to their playoff defeat against the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to that, a mismatched fight over field position in snowy conditions led to a narrow loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
This ongoing issue suggests the Rams need to bolster their investment in special teams. Their decision on Sunday was a step towards addressing the problem. However, it remains to be seen if the Rams will maintain this aggressive approach moving forward.
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