INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Joshua Karty's rookie season has shown him the highs and lows of the NFL kicker experience. From a game-winning field goal in his third career game against the 49ers to his four missed extra points, Karty has experienced both sides of the spectrum.
"It was a little up-and-down in the regular season so far," Karty said. "I thought I handled some adversity pretty well. I told (head coach) Sean (McVay) like five games back in practice one week... 'don't let me get started. Once I get started, there's no looking back.'"
Karty hasn't missed a kick since his conversation with McVay.
On Sunday against the Seahawks, Karty had one of the best games of his young career in the 30-25 loss, continuing his upward trajectory ahead of his first postseason game. Karty hit all four of his field goal attempts, including a career-long 58-yard kick to end the first half and a 57-yarder midway through the third quarter. His longest entering the game was 55 yards.
"He was awesome," McVay said postgame. "You talk about just how pure he struck the football today... to hit two longer 50-yard field goals the way that he did, I think he's peaking at the right time. He's just been so steady. I'm really proud of Josh, but not surprised just based on the things that go on behind the scenes."
Karty is 13-for-13 on field goal attempts over the last six weeks and, despite missing a few extra points over that span, has increased his efficiency throughout his rookie season. Now, he will prepare for a playoff atmosphere where close games are expected, and all eyes will be on him. His 85.3% field goal percentage exceeds that of both the Rams' kickers from last season.
Both of his 50-yarders went through the middle of the uprights, a good sign of the rookie's progress, and the 58-yard kick was the longest made field goal in the history of SoFi Stadium, according to the broadcast. Range is something the Rams knew he had when they drafted him this past year, as his college career-long was 61 yards. He hit that point home against Seattle.
Along with those bombs, Karty also hit 37 and 38-yard kicks, one of which gave Los Angeles the lead in the fourth quarter. He also set multiple Rams records on Sunday, passing Frank Corral for the most points by a Rams kicker in their rookie season (119) and tying Corral for the most field goals made by a rookie kicker in franchise history (29).
Karty's confidence in the pros and with the Rams' special teams unit has only grown throughout the year, and the hope is that will continue into next week's home playoff game against the Lions or Vikings, whoever loses on Sunday Night Football.
"Absolutely, it's a confidence-booster," Karty said of his performance, "just to show my teammates 'hey, I can do it, I belong here,' (and) show myself I belong here and I can do it."
