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The Bears’ Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) tackles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) on Sunday. The Rams failed often in the red zone in Chicago, a chronic problem this season. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Associated Press)
Despite an offense missing star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and several starting linemen, the Rams have enjoyed opportunities aplenty to finish drives with touchdowns.
The problem for the 1-3 Rams: Instead of reaching the end zone from inside the 20-yard line, they are kicking field goals.
The Rams have scored only seven touchdowns in 17 opportunities from inside the 20. That places them at No. 28 in the NFL for red-zone touchdown percentage, 41.2%, according to teamrankings.com.
So, while rookie kicker Joshua Karty is tied for sixth in the NFL with nine field goals, coach Sean McVay, his staff and players are, well, kicking themselves.
It’s a pressing situation. The Green Bay Packers (2-2) are coming to SoFi Stadium on Sunday with a chance to possibly push the Rams out of playoff contention before the postseason race even begins.
Read more: Reinforcements might be on way for Rams against Packers but not Cooper Kupp
In the Rams’ 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, their first four drives ended with two field goals, a lost fumble and a missed field-goal attempt.
In the second half, they drove to the Bears’ seven yard-line and settled for another field goal before finally scoring a touchdown.
“It hasn’t been just that game,” McVay said Wednesday of his team’s struggle to score touchdowns from inside the 20. “We’ve been in the red area a lot. … The field shortens. Everything, the margin for error, gets that much smaller, and so ultimately all that being said, we have to do a better job.
“And that will be a big point of emphasis … because it’s cost us so far this year.”
Fixing the problem “boils down to decision-making and execution,” McVay said.
“When those two things are aligned, a lot of good things happen,” he said,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/field-goals-aplenty-rams-red-100159161.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-10-03 10:01:59
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