Rams Rank Last in Special Teams Efficiency After Bills Loss

Persistent special teams failures have left the Los Angeles Rams with one of the NFL's worst-performing units, putting additional pressure on head coach Sean McVay after a 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Rams have struggled with field goals, kick returns and punting, while their overall efficiency has fallen below every other team in the league, according to CBS Sports.

The latest defeat highlighted the problem when a blocked field goal attempt in overtime gave Buffalo an opportunity to secure the victory. The Rams also surrendered a 70-yard kickoff return to open the game, adding to a series of costly mistakes across their special teams unit.

McVay's decision to attempt a 48-yard field goal on third-and-5 from the Bills' 30-yard line became a key moment in the loss. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had been productive throughout the second half and overtime, completing 24 of 31 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns during that stretch.

McVay acknowledged that he should have chosen a different offensive approach instead of sending out the kicking unit.

"I wish I would've had a better play call and gone for it, gotten it a lot tighter," McVay said. "I'm sick right now with myself. ... I'll be regretting kicking that and not having a better call to be able to go for it on third down and go to fourth or whatever it was, and that's on me."

The coach also accepted responsibility for the broader problems affecting the unit. The Rams entered the season after finishing near the bottom of the league in special teams performance the previous year, but their results have deteriorated further.

"It's got to get better,'' McVay said. "We're gonna be able to figure out how to be able to fix this, but it can't continue like this with regards to our kicking operation ... Ultimately, it's my responsibility."

According to CBS Sports, the Rams finished 31st in special teams expected points added last season and currently rank last in that category again. Their recent history includes a costly punt return touchdown allowed against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16 last season, when a missed field goal also contributed to a one-point defeat.

The Rams also suffered a critical special teams mistake in the NFC Championship game against Seattle. Xavier Smith muffed a punt, allowing the Seahawks to score a touchdown on the following play in a game Los Angeles lost by four points.

This season's statistics show problems across multiple phases. The Rams have converted five of nine field goal attempts, the NFL's lowest rate, according to CBS Sports. They rank 29th in yards per kickoff return and 26th in yards allowed per kickoff return.

The team's punting numbers are similarly poor. Los Angeles ranks 30th in net yards per punt and 26th in opponents' net yards per punt, leaving the unit struggling to improve field position.

The organization has previously attempted personnel changes to address these shortcomings. Last season, the Rams fired their special teams coordinator and changed kickers during the season. The team has also released Smith this year as it continues to address its special teams problems.

Despite the team's offensive talent, including Stafford, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, Los Angeles has fallen to a 2-3 record after the loss to Buffalo. CBS Sports reported that further personnel changes could follow as the Rams attempt to improve a unit that has repeatedly contributed to defeats.