Stafford: Rams' Biggest Problem Isn't the Kicker, But Missed Opportunities

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has identified a deeper issue than just a missed field goal as the cause of the team's recent 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills. While the missed kicks were significant, Stafford pointed to broader problems of missed opportunities and inconsistent execution throughout the game.

Following the loss, Rams coach Sean McVay initially expressed frustration with the special teams unit, stating, “It cost us the game tonight.” However, after further reflection, McVay acknowledged that the kicker was not the sole reason for the defeat. “He wasn’t exclusively the reason why we lost the game,” McVay said of kicker Harrison Mevis after his release. “This is the greatest team sport. The kicking unit cost us an opportunity to win the game. But that wasn’t the reason we didn’t win exclusively.”

Stafford echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that assigning blame to a single player or unit is too simplistic. He suggested that the team needs to look inward and identify areas for improvement beyond the final moments of a game.

"There's chances all over the place in games to snatch the momentum, or go pile on a lead, or claw back a little closer, so it’s not just about one possession at the end of the game, or whatever that is," Stafford explained.

He noted that the offense often finds its rhythm and executes effectively in critical, high-pressure situations, particularly in two-minute drills. However, the issue lies in consistently replicating that level of performance earlier in the game, when the team has opportunities to build a lead or seize momentum.

"We need to ask ourselves 'what are the opportunities to come out and find a way to execute when we needed to?'" wide receiver Puka Nacua said. "That's something that we need to do more consistently. Obviously, the two-minute offense is when we're in rhythm and when we're in flow, but we need to be able to do that more consistently."

McVay also highlighted the 178 plays that preceded the critical missed field goal against Buffalo, encompassing offensive, defensive, and special teams snaps. He suggested that a football game is a series of accumulated opportunities, and failures earlier in the game contributed to the outcome remaining in doubt.

"We missed a chance to win it on that play, but that’s not why we didn’t win it," McVay stated.

Stafford believes the team possesses the capability to perform at a high level consistently, citing their ability to execute well under pressure. The challenge, he stated, is to make these successful moments the norm rather than reserved for emergency situations. "We are always trying to score every time we touch it," Stafford said. "We don't sit there and go, 'Meh, we'll punt it back to them. We'll get it next time.' We're trying like hell every single time."

The Rams' recent performances have shown a pattern of effective late-game comebacks, including a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Stafford questioned why such a sense of desperation is required for the offense to perform at its best.

"Imagine if Los Angeles attacked every second and third-quarter possession with the same precision it displays when trailing late. Imagine turning a seven-point advantage into 14 instead of giving opponents another opportunity to hang around," the report stated.

Ultimately, Stafford and McVay agree that consistent execution, rather than a last-minute surge, is the key to transforming close games into comfortable victories. The Rams aim to find a way to sustain their effectiveness throughout the entire game, not just when facing adversity.