Brief

Rams aim to erase last season’s special‑teams collapse against Eagles

Coach Sean McVay and new special‑teams staff hope the unit will perform better in Sunday’s Week 4 matchup.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 04 Oct 2026 02:58:23 GMT

Los Angeles Rams players recall a game‑ending special‑teams failure against the Philadelphia Eagles last season and say they have made changes ahead of Sunday’s Week 4 clash at Lincoln Financial Field, the LA Times reported.

What happened

In September 2025, with the Rams trailing 33‑26, the Eagles blocked a Rams field‑goal attempt, recovered the ball and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, sealing a 33‑26 loss. Safety Kam Curl, who was on the sideline, said he only heard “boom, boom” before realizing the play had gone wrong. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said he had never seen a game‑ending play like it.

What the reports add

The article notes that the Rams opened the 2026 season with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, then beat the New York Giants, and later surrendered a 16‑0 halftime lead to the Denver Broncos, losing 30‑26. Coach Sean McVay fired special‑teams coordinator Chase Blackburn late last season; interim coordinator Ben Kotwica oversaw the final two games. In the offseason McVay hired Bubba Ventrone, formerly with the Colts and Browns, and added veteran long‑snapper Joe Cardona and linebacker Grant Stuard, both special‑teams veterans.

What was said

McVay told the press, “We have improved in that particular phase, but you have to do it again against a formidable Eagles field‑goal block unit. That certainly is not anything we’re taking for granted.” Ventrone, speaking on the day the Rams lost to the Eagles last season while he was coaching the Browns, said, “It comes down to execution and playing with good fundamentals in those areas. If we can do that, then we’ll be in a better spot.”

How it came about

The special‑teams overhaul follows the disastrous blocked kick and follows a series of roster moves, including replacing kicker Joshua Karty with Harrison Mevis, who has made 18 of 19 attempts this season. The Rams also waived punt returner Xavier Smith after his fumble in the previous NFC championship game and promoted Alex Bachman to return punts.

Key facts

The Eagles blocked a Rams field‑goal and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown in September 2025, ending the game 33‑26. (latimes.com)
Coach Sean McVay hired special‑teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and added long‑snapper Joe Cardona and linebacker Grant Stuard during the 2026 offseason. (latimes.com)
Kicker Harrison Mevis has made 18 of 19 field‑goal attempts this season, including four of five so far in 2026. (latimes.com)