69RamFan wrote:I feel Maher can hit 40 yds and under without any problems,
47yds would be my max to send him out on the field,
So, the ball would be placed on the 30 yd line.
Any balls between the 30 and 40 yd line,
I would go for it and try to get a first down.
Outside the 40, punt it away.
And you would be correct. The last 3 years he's 33 of 34 from 39 yards in, 17 of 20 from 40-49 yards, (50-54 from 49 in). This year he's 14 of 16 from 49 yards in. His infamy came in that playoff game last year when he missed 5 PATs (50 of 53 in the regular season; with 53 attempts being the most in the NFL in 2022). Is it a concern? It's always a concern. With practically ANY kicker. Most are head cases and a bad game can send them snowballing down the slope. And so because of his 2022 postseason performance he's a HUGE liability. He's 12 of 13 in PATs this year. I'm as concerned about our red zone issues, maybe even more so than kicking.
I read an article that listed the biggest issue for the 9 teams already in the playoffs and found it interesting.
Rams - KickingCleveland - Turnovers
Philly -
Pass Defense Detroit -
Beating pressureMiami - Red Zone defense
KC - Catching passes
Dallas -
Rush DefenseBaltimore - Fumbles
San Francisco - Interceptions
Of the 4 teams we could face this postseason,
two of them have liabilities we should be able to exploit.
A third if we keep rushing the passer like we have the last 6 weeks (17 sacks). So if our red zone issues continue AND it comes down to kicking, Maher has been solid in the red zone. If it comes down to long kicks, there is concern. Maher is only 3 of 7 from 50 and beyond (Tucker, perhaps the best of all time, is 1 of 5
). But Maher will always be remembered for the 5 missed PATs in one 2022 playoff game, so that's the "problem" for the Rams. Overcome that by putting the ball in the freaking end zone!!!