Rams' Special Teams Errors Threaten Super Bowl Aspirations

The Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl ambitions could be undermined by recurring problems within their special teams unit, which has repeatedly provided opponents with opportunities and favorable field position.

Despite assembling a roster brimming with offensive firepower and defensive talent, the Rams have demonstrated a troubling capacity for self-sabotage in the critical moments between units transitioning on the field. This was evident in their recent narrow victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, where special teams miscues nearly allowed a struggling opponent to capitalize.

The issues were manifold during the Eagles game. Britain Covey's 41-yard punt return set up an Eagles touchdown, and kicker Harrison Mevis missed a 48-yard field goal that could have narrowed a 10-point deficit. Later, Mevis's kickoff out of bounds handed the Eagles possession at their own 40-yard line, a costly error despite the defense ultimately preventing further damage.

In the return game, a punt allowed to bounce was downed at the Rams' 4-yard line, pinning the offense deep. A subsequent holding penalty also negated valuable return yardage. These errors necessitate the offense traveling farther, the defense defending more field, and the quarterback needing to orchestrate late escapes.

Rams coach Sean McVay acknowledged the shortcomings. "We need better," he stated, reflecting on the missed field goal and the long punt return. "We have to do a better job of casting a net, being able to tackle."

These are fundamental requirements for a team aiming for a championship. The issues are not new and predate the current season. Against Denver, a punt return to the Rams' 10-yard line and a subsequent 28-yard punt return allowed the Broncos advantageous field position. Xavier Smith, who was involved in some of these plays, was waived before the Eagles game, with Bachman taking over punt return duties.

McVay noted that the responsibility is shared across the unit, "There are 11 moving parts on every single snap," he said, pointing to inadequate blocking as a factor in punt return execution. However, the overall operation falls under the Rams' purview, and their recent history underscores the severity of the problem.

Last December, a 58-yard punt-return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed ignited a Seahawks comeback, contributing to a loss that impacted the division race and playoff seeding. In the NFC championship game, a muffed punt recovery by Seattle led to a quick touchdown, a pivotal moment in a game the Rams ultimately lost by four points.

These past failures highlight the critical need for improvement, especially with a roster featuring quarterback Matthew Stafford, elite receiving talent, and a defense expecting reinforcements. While star players can address many aspects of the game, they cannot compensate for missed field goals or costly return penalties. The responsibility for fixing these special teams' issues lies within the unit itself.

Facing a potent opponent like the Buffalo Bills, the Rams cannot afford to repeatedly ease their opponents' path. The victory against the Eagles provided a reprieve, but it did not eliminate the threat posed by these recurring special teams' blunders. Without significant improvement, these errors are likely to resurface and exact a steeper price.