INGLEWOOD, Calif. —The Los Angeles Rams had every opportunity to pickup a statement victory on Monday night. Instead, they walked off the field at SoFi Stadium with another painful reminder that championship aspirations mean little when one phase of the game continues to let the team down.
The Rams fell 37-34 in overtime to the Buffalo Bills, dropping to 2-3 on the season after a thrilling contest that featured late-game heroics, explosive offensive performances and a finish that came down to special teams. While quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Puka Nacua delivered outstanding performances, kicker Harrison Mevis missed two field-goal attempts, including a potential game-winner in overtime that was blocked by Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau.
For a team with Super Bowl ambitions, the message is simple: All special teams matter. Until the Rams find consistency in that department, they will continue making life more difficult than it needs to be.
Head coach Sean McVay did not hide his frustration following the defeat, delivering one of his most pointed assessments of the season.
“And in the kicking game, especially, you know, with our PAT/field goal unit, not even close to good enough. It cost us the game tonight,” McVay said.
Those words carried weight because special teams were supposed to be an area of improvement after previous breakdowns hurt the Rams during the 2025 season. Los Angeles brought in special teams coordinator Raymond "Bubba" Ventrone and additional contributors to strengthen a unit that had repeatedly struggled in critical moments.
Against Buffalo, the same concerns resurfaced once again.
It all started on the Rams’ opening possession. After Stafford and the offense moved the ball into scoring territory, Mevis lined up for a 50-yard field goal but missed wide left. The miss kept Los Angeles off the scoreboard for the moment.
The Rams eventually found their rhythm offensively, but the missed opportunity became increasingly significant as the game developed into a back-and-forth battle.
Mevis’ second miss proved even more costly.
With overtime underway, the Rams appeared positioned to steal a victory after linebacker Nate Landman forced a fumble by Bills running back James Cook and defensive lineman Aaron Donald recovered the ball. Stafford then connected with tight end Davis Allen for 21 yards before finding Nacua for another 21-yard gain, moving Los Angeles into field-goal range.
A 48-yard attempt could have ended the game and given the Rams a much-needed victory. Instead, Rousseau penetrated the protection and blocked Mevis’ kick.
McVay acknowledged that he also had questions about his decision-making on the final possession, particularly the third-down play call that left the Rams attempting a long field goal.
“I wish I would have had a better play call and gone for it, got it a lot tighter. I’m sick right now with myself, and I’m so proud of that group,” McVay said.
The coach deserves credit for accepting responsibility, but the larger issue remains the Rams’ inability to consistently execute in the kicking game. McVay made that clear when asked whether changes would be made.
“Yeah, I’m going to evaluate everything,” he said.
For Mevis, the night was a difficult one. He acknowledged that he felt he struck the overtime attempt well, but the result told a different story. His two misses left the Rams empty-handed on opportunities that could have changed the outcome.
Special teams, however, were not the only reason Los Angeles lost. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen consistently stressed the defense with his legs, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Bills finished with 234 rushing yards, forcing the Rams to work throughout the night to contain one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.
Still, Los Angeles showed plenty of fight.
Stafford completed 40 of 54 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns, repeatedly bringing the Rams back into the contest. Nacua caught a career-high 17 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, while Davante Adams added two touchdown receptions. Running back Kyren Williams scored from one yard out with five seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 34 and force overtime.
That final drive in regulation showed the resilience and offensive firepower that make the Rams so dangerous. It also made the eventual defeat more frustrating because the team did enough offensively to put itself in position to win.
The frustration comes from the fact that Los Angeles has invested time, personnel and resources into correcting its special-teams problems. The unit was supposed to complement an offense capable of scoring against anyone and a defense expected to make timely stops. Against Buffalo, it became the difference between a statement win and another loss.
The Rams cannot afford to keep treating special teams as an afterthought. Field goals, extra points, kick coverage and blocking assignments all carry consequences, especially in games decided by a single possession. One missed kick can change momentum. Two can change the scoreboard. A blocked attempt in overtime can erase an otherwise outstanding comeback.
McVay and his staff now face difficult questions about the personnel and execution of the kicking operation. Whether those evaluations lead to changes remains to be seen, but standing still cannot be the answer.
At 2-3, Los Angeles has little room for self-inflicted wounds as it attempts to get its season back on track. The talent is there, and the fight is evident. Now the Rams must prove they can win in all three phases of the game.
On Monday night, the offense did its job, the defense created a chance, and special teams let the team down.
All special teams matter. For the Rams, fixing them may determine whether this season becomes a championship chase or another frustrating exercise in missed opportunities.