The Los Angeles Rams are sitting on a brutal -31.8 in Special Teams EPA through just five weeks, and honestly, it’s a catastrophic liability threatening to derail what should be a seriously competitive football team. This isn’t just a minor issue, it’s a phase that could completely undermine their Super Bowl potential if Sean McVay and Les Snead don’t fix it, fast. You know things are bad when the coach himself is taking the blame.
Sean McVay Is Pissed, And So Should They Be
Talk about an emergency. Rams head coach Sean McVay was reportedly as upset as he’s ever been after a game, blaming himself for a conservative third and five call in overtime and then kicking a long field goal. When the guy in charge is that frustrated, you know changes are coming. And yeah, special teams changes are “likely this week,” according to the reports. This is all about getting a reliable kicker, someone who can consistently turn scoring opportunities into actual points instead of headaches. The Rams need to make an extreme special teams makeover if they want to stop this problem from costing them another game. It’s not just about one position either, but getting that kicking game locked down is step one.
Familiar Face or Future Hall of Famer?
The Rams actually have two pretty solid options on the table if they want to solve this kicking nightmare. First up, a reunion with Matt Gay. Remember him? He was with the Rams from 2020 through 2022, nailing 74 of 80 field goal attempts, an insane 92.5% success rate. His best year, 2021, he hit 94.1% and helped them snag Super Bowl LVI. Dude knows what it takes to succeed in LA. He’s currently with the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal that expires after this season, making him a perfect trade target. His career percentage is around 84.6%, but his past success there and even a 59-yarder for Vegas this year show he’s still got the leg. A trade could give them a proven player who gets the organization and has performed under championship pressure, all without committing to a long-term deal. That’s a smart play if they can pull it off.
Option Two: The Nearly Automatic Justin Tucker
If a trade for Gay doesn’t pan out, or if the Rams want to swing for the fences, then Justin Tucker is the other name floating around. This guy has an 89.1% career field goal percentage, which puts him among the most accurate kickers the NFL has ever seen. We’re talking nearly automatic from 49 yards or less, where he’s got a ridiculous 94.8% success rate. The big question with Tucker would be if he can get back to that legendary consistency. His track record is insane, no doubt, but the Rams would have to check his current form and availability before making any kind of commitment. If he can still bring that absolute certainty, he’d be a game-changer.
The Rams absolutely need to get this fixed. With McVay visibly upset and changes looming, this isn’t just about a kicker; it’s about whether they can truly compete for a Super Bowl. They’ve got a decision to make, and it could define their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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