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Tuesday 18 sepTember 2018
As kickers struggle, Rams go for TDs, 2-point conversions

By BARRY WILNER He botched his first ex-
AP Pro Football Writer tra point after the Browns
NEW YORK (AP) — Who went up 12-3 in the third
needs a kicker? Apparently quarter at New Orleans. He
not the Los Angeles Rams. was wide left on a 44-yard
As for the Browns and Vi- field goal that would have
kings, who are going with given them a 15-3 early
untested youngsters, well, in the fourth quarter. That
maybe a new guy to han- plagued him on his final
dle field goals and extra two attempts.
points will be employed Gonzalez hooked an extra
soon. point wide left with 1:16 re-
Sure, it's kind of early to maining, leaving the score
panic about placekick- 18-18. He pushed a 52-yard
ing. The Rams showed field goal try right with 3
how to not rely on place- seconds to go after the
ments once Greg Zuerlein Saints went ahead on Wil
went out Sunday with a Lutz's 44-yard field goal 18
groin problem. They simply seconds earlier.
scored touchdowns and "It was on me a hundred
then went for 2-point con- percent," Gonzalez said. "I
versions, making three. can't blame it on anybody
Still, when it's early in the else. We were so close to
schedule and kickers are that win and it's been so
struggling — there were long, and I just let every-
seven missed PAT kicks Sun- Minnesota Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson reacts after missing a field goal in the final sends of over- body down.
day afternoon — despite time an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Green Bay, "I was cursing myself out in
generally decent condi- Wis. The game ended in a 29-29 tie. my head. I'm really upset
tions, that's troubling. about it." Gonzalez missed
Minnesota rookie Daniel field goals, particularly failed from 48 in the second goals made (96) and points one extra point last season
Carlson twice went wide when you have the two quarter. by a kicker (494) when he as a rookie in Cleveland.
right on overtime field goals highest-paid quarterbacks "I think I went out each time left Arizona State after the Miami's Jason Sanders and
and the Vikings tied top in the league, Aaron Rod- and it was a new kick," said 2016 season, hurt his team New York's Jason Myers
NFC North rival Green Bay gers and Kirk Cousins. But Carlson, who was pretty even more. His Browns lost were both wide on PATs in
29-29. Even though Pack- circumstances sometimes sure he'd never missed — yeah, that's hardly news the Dolphins' 20-12 victory
ers kicker Mason Crosby dictate not gambling. In three field goals in a game. as it was the 18th time in over the Jets. Pittsburgh's
matched a career high Green Bay's case, that "Went out there confident, their last 19 games they Chris Boswell missed an
with five field goals, his po- pretty much paid off thanks but something obviously flopped, and the other extra point against Kansas
tential winner from 52 yards to the veteran Crosby. was off and I've got to fix game was last week's tie City in a loss, and Tampa
went wide left as time ex- Not so much for Minnesota that and help this team." with Pittsburgh — and he Bay's Chandler Catanzaro
pired in regulation. as Carlson missed from 49 Zane Gonzalez , who held missed two field goals and, did so, as well, against Phil-
It's rarely wise to play for and 35 yards in OT. He also FBS records for career field ugh, two extra points. adelphia in a victory.q
Carson Wentz cleared to return for Eagles

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — He's room has no egos," Ped- of the game is different
back. erson said. "Nick all along than practice. He will be
Carson Wentz has been has understood that this totally prepared. He comes
cleared to return and is is Carson's football team. early, stays late, asks a lot
slated to start for the Phila- We owe a lot of gratitude of questions, he has a lot of
delphia Eagles against In- to Nick Foles for what he's ideas. He'll be ready men-
dianapolis in Week 3. done and how he's led this tally."
"I was impressed with how team. He's very supportive." The Eagles (1-1) lost 27-21
well he attacked his rehab Wentz set a single-season at Tampa Bay (2-0) on Sun-
throughout the offseason," franchise record with 33 day.
coach Doug Pederson said touchdown passes last sea- Wide receiver Mike Wal-
Monday. "He's done every- son. The final one came a lace broke his fibula in the
thing we've asked him to few plays after he suffered first quarter and will miss
do and he's ready to go." his injury. several weeks.
Wentz tore his left ACL Wentz, the No. 2 overall Wentz probably won't have
and LCL on Dec. 10, 2017 pick in 2016, finished third top receiver Alshon Jeffery,
in a game against the Los in NFL MVP voting in his either. He's been sidelined
Angeles Rams and had In this Sept. 6, 2018 photo, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick second year. Pederson since having offseason
Foles throws a pass during the first half of the team's NFL football
surgery three days later. game against the Atlanta Falcons, in Philadelphia. doesn't expect him to pick shoulder surgery and Ped-
Backup quarterback Nick Associated Press up where he left off imme- erson said Jeffery is week to
Foles led the Eagles to their diately. week. "Carson's not Super-
first NFL title since 1960 and Foles embraced his role a starting opportunity else- "It's going to take some man. It's going to take the
was Super Bowl MVP in the from the start and wanted where. time to get in the rhythm 10 other guys around him
41-33 victory over New Eng- to return to the Eagles this "The greatest thing for and flow of the game," to do their job as well," Ped-
land. season instead of seeking me is that (quarterback) Pederson said. "The speed erson said.q