The Los Angeles Rams’ special teams unit has been bad all season. It could be short-handed and maybe even worse for the playoffs, possibly being one of the primary reasons the Rams fall short of a Super Bowl run this season.
We watched LA lose to the Philadelphia Eagles because of a blocked kick that Jordan Davis returned for a touchdown. Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers brought issues with the field goal operation and punt coverage, which later spurred changes at both long snapper and kicker. In the second game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams allowed a 58-yard punt return touchdown to Rashid Shaheed that sparked Seattle’s comeback. Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis missed a potential game-winning 48-yard field goal but did convert later to send the game to overtime. LA fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn following the Seahawks loss and internally promoted Ben Kotwica to fill the role for the remainder of the season.
In short, that marks three of four losses where special teams played a major role in deciding the final outcome.
Now the Rams find themselves even more short-handed in the third phase of the game. Two key contributors—Shaun Dolac and Jordan Whittington—suffered knee injuries in the regular season finale versus the Arizona Cardinals. Dolac was placed on injured reserve and LA signed veteran LB Ben Niemann in replacement. Whittington’s injury seems to be more short-term, though he’s missed both of the team’s practices so far this week.
Some may say that the Rams’ special teams woes have improved since Kotwica has been at the helm. This problem really stems from a lack of investment by the team. They mostly have undrafted free agents playing the majority of these snaps. It’s a common theme across the NFL; however, teams that prioritize special teams often spent late draft picks for this very reason. LA used to do so when John Fassel was the coordinator. Special teams wasn’t as big of an issue back then and was closer to a value add than a problem.
And I haven’t even mentioned the fact the Rams have a rookie kicker that largely has not been tested in high leverage situations. Harrison Mevis has attempted only two kicks where the final outcome held in the balance late against the Seahawks—and he went one for two.
Tyler Loop, another rookie kicker, just cost the Baltimore Ravens a playoff berth by missing what would have been the game-winner over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This would be a bitter end for a talented Rams team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
Fans are not discussing special teams much ahead of this weekend’s playoff matchup against the Carolina Panthers. A bad unit is being eroded by injuries, and it’s reasonably possible a lesser talented Carolina team is able to find a competitive edge in the third phase.
We should be worrying more about special teams more leading into the postseason.
