Go beyond the scoreboard
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1
The Rams are probably shopping for a new kicker.
In the aftermath of Brett Maher’s struggles in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Sean McVay was asked Monday if the Rams would make a change or bring in kickers this week as they prepare for the Dallas Cowboys.
“There’s a possibility,” McVay said during a video conference with reporters, adding, “You want to evaluate the landscape and see what that looks like.”
During the 24-17 loss Sunday, Maher missed field-goal attempts from 53 and 51 yards, and also missed an extra-point attempt.
After the loss, McVay said Maher has “got to be better,” which harked to similar comments McVay made about former quarterback Jared Goff and running back Cam Akers before they were traded.
Maher has made 17 of 23 field-goal attempts and is three of seven from beyond 50 yards. He has made 12 of 13 extra points.
“Brett’s been pretty consistent throughout his career,” McVay said Monday. “He’s had some long attempts that are difficult kicks to be able to make that we’ve missed. Obviously, you want to be able to hit the extra point.”
Other takeaways from Week 6:
2
Cooper Kupp is not infallible
Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates a touchdown catch by Rams teammate Tutu Atwell (5). Kupp was held to two catches by the Steelers.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
He was the 2021 NFL offensive player of the year and the most valuable player of Super Bowl LVI.
A few weeks ago, he came back from a hamstring injury and produced two consecutive 100-yard performances. But Sunday, Kupp shockingly dropped the first pass that came his way. He also dropped the second.
Kupp finished with two catches for 29 yards. Kupp has been limited to two catches only a few times since 2017, the last in a 2020 defeat by the 49ers.
3
Darrell Henderson showed up game-ready
The Rams’ Darrell Henderson Jr. (27), signed this week, finds a running lane against the Steelers.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
The Rams signed Henderson last week as a possible replacement for starter Kyren Williams, who was placed on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.
Henderson had not played in a game since last November, when the Rams released him after three-plus seasons often marred by injuries.
Henderson started against the Steelers and broke off a 16-yard run on his first carry. He finished with 61 yards and a touchdown in 18 carries. He also caught a pass.
Royce Freeman rushed for 66 yards in 12 carries, including a 15-yard run.
4
McVay’s game-management goes awry
Coach Sean McVay had some timeout issues during the Rams game against the Steelers.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sean McVay had no way of knowing he might need a timeout to challenge a spot after the Steelers ran a sneak on a fourth-and-one play with 2 minutes 24 seconds left. However, by using his final timeout with 3:03 remaining, McVay lost that opportunity.
If the play had occurred with less than two minutes left, the spot would have been reviewed by officials.
McVay took responsibility for his game management, which left the Rams with no timeouts with just over 2 minutes to go. That left McVay unable to challenge a controversial spot after the Rams appeared to stop the Steelers on the fourth-and-one play.
McVay used his first timeout early in the third quarter before the Rams ran a third-and-seven play at the Steelers 28-yard line.
“We were in a situation we didn’t necessarily want to be in,” McVay said.
The Rams made an adjustment during the timeout and eventually scored a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion for a 17-10 lead.
The Steelers had the ball late in the fourth quarter when McVay used timeouts with 3:10 and then 3:03 remaining.
“In an ideal scenario you have all three at your disposal when you want to start using them, whether that be under two minutes or outside of two minutes when it’s a one possession game in that scenario,” McVay said.
“Certainly had you had that you could have maybe reviewed the spot, but I don’t know that I would have in hindsight either way. But those are things that I always have to be honest with myself about, and those are the things that eat you up, where you want to do a great job for our team of always making good decisions and being honest with that assessment.”
5
Michael Hoecht made an impact early
Outside linebacker Hoecht had shared a sack in a season-opening victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but was shut out in the next five games.
On Sunday, he sacked Kenny Pickett on the second play, helped force a fumble the next series, and got another sack before the end of the first quarter.
Hoecht finished with a team-best seven tackles.
Edge rusher Byron Young had one tackle for a loss and two quarterback hits.
6
Kendrick did play
Cornerback Derion Kendrick’s off-the-field situation did not appear to significantly alter his playing time.
Kendrick, who faces two misdemeanor gun charges, practiced only once last week after his arrest Monday.
Cobie Durant started on the outside in place of Kendrick but Kendrick was soon in the game and played significant snaps.
Kendrick, however, did not make a tackle.
Sean McVay says he’s enjoying the challenges of coaching, but will losses like Sunday’s against the Steelers continue to be the norm for the Rams?
