Two kickers are better than one?
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Rams may be using two kickers and punter for their Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. So, are the Rams then using three kickers? Seems that way.
Visit afsport.lat for more information.
The Rams will go with Brandon McManus, Joshua Karty and then Ethan Evans as the punter. McManus will likely get the nod for field goals while Karty is maybe possibly expected to handle kickoffs. It’s interesting as the Rams truly are trying anything they can to get the special teams improved. Will it work?
If not, truly what else will the Rams be able to try? Sunday is a big test for the Rams and their much-maligned special teams unit. Sunday is a big test for the Rams in general.
Rams will have 2 kickers vs. Chargers after promoting Joshua Karty (ramswire)
“The Rams have used their activations for special teams in the past, usually for players who operate on the coverage/return teams. This time, the franchise is calling up kicker Joshua Karty and long snapper Jake McQuaide for the contest.
Both players were on the team last season before being added to the practice squad this week. Karty, who was waived after missing multiple field goals and extra-point attempts, has a “knuckleball” kickoff that some in the media have pointed to as a potential solution for the team’s coverage issues. The Rams still have Brandon McManus on their roster, so it’s not clear what Karty’s role will be.“
Sean McVay’s crazy two-kicker gamble might actually be genius (sports.yahoo)
“Even last Sunday against Las Vegas, McManus watched Raiders returners rip off gains of 42 and 39 yards. McVay eventually resorted to asking him to kick the ball through the end zone.
That’s not fixing the problem. That’s surrendering to it.
Enter Karty back through the door he first entered when he was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The former Rams kicker developed a knuckleball-style kickoff that resembles a soccer free kick, deliberately striking the football with minimal spin to create unpredictable movement.“
Is Puka Nacua Playing Today? (Injury Update, Betting Impact for Chargers vs. Rams in NFL Week 8) (si.com)
“Still, with the Rams down Davante Adams (hamstring), the L.A. offense is going to run through Nacua as long as he can be out on the field.
The star wideout still played in 84.7 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 7, catching eight of his 10 targets for 68 yards and a score. This season, Nacua has 45 catches on 62 targets for 485 yards and two scores in just five games. He’s averaging over 12 targets per game, which gives him an extremely high floor when it comes to the prop market.“
3 Rams veterans who likely won’t be back next season (ramblinfan)
“General manager Les Snead faces a difficult challenge in managing the current roster while setting up the same team to succeed next season. The Rams have more than two dozen pending free agents, many of whom are at risk of not returning. Extension dollars will be limited. Here are three veterans whose return is unlikely.
Rams may have already decided to part ways with these 3 veterans
1. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell
The trade that reunited the Rams with Atwell made little sense when it was announced. It makes even less sense now. Despite limited snaps from Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and a lack of production from the remaining receivers, Atwell sits on the bench. That’s even more confusing when tight end injuries are factored in.“
3 major storylines ahead of Rams vs. Chargers (sports.yahoo)
“The season is young, but wins in the NFL are scarce. The Green Bay Packers are currently holding down the last wild-card spot after their Thursday night win against the Carolina Panthers, and the Rams host them on Thanksgiving Eve. Just saying.
For the Chargers, it’s even worse. With the trade deadline looming, players and coaches are competing for their livelihoods. Desperation drives the narrative.
Sunday special team scaries
The Rams’ special teams have been a letdown this whole season, and their kick coverage team has been simply awful. Now, the team has brought back kicker Joshua Karty and long-snapper Jake McQuaide on their practice squad, activating them both for this game.“
Rams vs. Chargers Prediction, Odds, Pick For NFL Week 8 (foxsports)
“The Rams lead the NFL in total offense (399.1 yards per game) and are coming off a season-high 35 points against the Raiders.
Matthew Stafford has thrown eight touchdowns against one interception over his last three games, completing 75.9% of his passes with a 113.4 passer rating.
The Chargers are the NFL’s last winless team at 0-6 and lead the league with 15 giveaways.“
Rams defense ready for challenges Justin Herbert presents (ramswire)
“Despite the lack of overall offensive success, Herbert has displayed enough, paired with his defense, to keep games close, prompting the Rams’ defense to focus on stopping him. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula detailed the challenges Herbert presents.
“I see that he’s tall, strong, stands tall in the pocket, tough,” said Shula. He sees the whole field, can activate the whole field. A bunch of playmakers, guys running, disperses it, gets the guys out. You see a really good player. Obviously, I know they’re not exactly where they want to be right now, but you see everything is out there for him to be a great offense.”
Can the Rams replicate a balanced offense against the Chargers? (ocregister)
“The offense as a whole fed off their energy, too, with receivers suddenly finding more room to operate as defenses had to respect the run on play-action calls.
“Being able to get these [defensive backs] to take that extra yard or two up to bite on the run fake and it allows us to play with more grass. The more grass that we have to play with, the more confident No. 9 is in being able to let that one go,” receiver Puka Nacua said. “The confidence that he has in letting the ball go is always at 100 percent, but I think when there’s more grass, it goes past 100.”
Head coach Sean McVay sometimes bristles when asked about “balanced” play calling. He doesn’t want to be locked into running 50% run plays and 50% pass plays just because of the concept of balance.“