Rams Kicker’s Unfortunate ‘Doink’ Highlights Team’s Special Teams Struggles
In a moment that quickly spread across social media platforms, Los Angeles Rams kicker Joshua Karty experienced one of the NFL season’s most memorable misses on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. What should have been a routine 26-yard field goal – practically a gimme in professional football – instead resulted in a resounding “doink” as the ball struck the right upright and bounced away. The missed opportunity would have tied the game at 3-3 in the first quarter, but instead became the latest chapter in what has become a concerning pattern for the Rams’ special teams unit. The sound of football meeting metal was so distinct that it immediately caught the attention of fans and commentators alike, creating one of those viral moments that transcends the game itself.
This wasn’t Karty’s first high-profile miscue this season, unfortunately. In a particularly painful Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Karty had what could have been a game-winning field goal blocked in dramatic fashion. Eagles defensive lineman Jordan Davis not only prevented the score but managed to scoop up the blocked kick and rumble into the end zone for a touchdown that sealed Philadelphia’s victory. Adding salt to the wound, Karty had already missed two field goals earlier in that same contest, making the final blocked attempt even more devastating for Rams fans. These critical misses in clutch moments have put the second-year kicker from Stanford under intense scrutiny as the season progresses, with each missed opportunity magnified by their impact on game outcomes.
The kicking woes continued just last week when Karty missed both a field goal and an extra point attempt in the Rams’ heartbreaking 26-23 overtime loss to division rival San Francisco 49ers. These missed points proved particularly costly in such a close contest, where a single successful kick could have changed the team’s fortunes. For a professional kicker, consistency is everything, and these high-profile misses in consecutive weeks have raised questions about Karty’s reliability in pressure situations. While kicking may seem straightforward to casual observers, it remains one of football’s most mentally challenging positions – where confidence can evaporate quickly and technique can falter under the weight of previous failures.
What makes these special teams struggles particularly frustrating for the Rams organization and their fanbase is that the team has otherwise performed admirably this season. Prior to their matchup with Baltimore, Los Angeles had compiled a respectable 3-2 record, with their only losses coming in the aforementioned games against Philadelphia and San Francisco – both contests where Karty’s missed kicks played significant roles in the outcomes. For a team with playoff aspirations in the competitive NFC West division, leaving points on the field due to special teams miscues could ultimately prove the difference between postseason football and an early offseason. Each missed kick not only impacts the scoreboard but can affect team morale and momentum during crucial game situations.
Looking at Karty’s overall statistics provides a more nuanced picture of his performance. During the 2024 season, he successfully converted 29 of 34 field goal attempts and 32 of 34 extra point tries – numbers that, while not elite, certainly fall within acceptable range for NFL kickers. His longest successful field goal came from 51 yards, demonstrating that he possesses the leg strength required at the professional level. This season, Karty has made 9 of 12 field goal attempts and 12 of 14 extra point attempts, showing a slight decline in accuracy from his previous performance. These statistics suggest a kicker with potential who is currently struggling through a difficult stretch rather than someone fundamentally incapable of handling NFL kicking duties.
The Rams now face critical decisions regarding their kicking situation as the season progresses. While patience with young specialists is often warranted, each missed kick in close games puts additional pressure on both player and organization. NFL history is filled with stories of kickers who overcame early career struggles to achieve greatness, but it’s equally populated with talented legs who never fully recovered from confidence-shaking slumps. For Karty, the path forward will require mental fortitude and technical consistency – qualities that are tested most intensely during game situations. Meanwhile, Rams coaches and management must weigh their confidence in Karty’s potential against the immediate needs of a team competing for playoff positioning in a league where the margin between victory and defeat is often razor-thin. As football fans have witnessed countless times, special teams plays that seem minor in isolation can ultimately determine championships, making the Rams’ kicking situation one worth monitoring as the season unfolds.
