The best team in the NFL usually wins the Super Bowl because they are fundamentally sound on all three phases of the game – offense, defense, and special teams. The Los Angeles Rams were elite in offense and defense, but their special teams unit was atrocious, which ultimately cut their season short.
The Rams’ special teams unit significantly struggled this season with a negative -50 Expected Points Added (EPA). A poor special teams unit has been a consistent problem for the Rams under head coach Sean McVay. Since 2020, the Rams have had the worst collective EPA in the NFL at -169.68. Ranked 32nd out of 32 teams, McVay has turned a blind eye to the special teams unit. In 2023, the Rams’ special teams unit logged an EPA of -43.68, -12 in 2024, and -50 this season.
Special Teams Issues
This year, several games were decided by poor special teams effort. In week three, the Rams lost to the Eagles on a blocked field goal by Jordan Davis. In week five, they lost to the 49ers by three points after a missed field goal and an extra point. The second matchup with the Seahawks also contained special teams’ mishaps that caused another loss. After a 30-14 Rams lead, Seahawks returner Rashid Shaheed returned a 58-yard punt for a touchdown, leading to a Seattle run and eventual win.
McVay tried to fix the special teams’ issues by firing the special teams coordinator, Chase Blackburn, after their second matchup with the Seahawks. Blackburn was replaced by Ben Kotwica, but the change was too late, as the bleeding continued.
The Rams’ most crucial special teams mistake was in the NFC Championship game against the Seahawks. Rams returner Xavier Smith was back to receive a punt and unwisely tried to catch a wobbling kick. He backtracked, fell, and muffed the punt. The Seahawks quickly scored a touchdown and went on to win 31-27, advancing to the Super Bowl. The culmination of a season’s worth of special teams mistakes caught up with the team and ended their season in the game to decide the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.
The Rams attempted to address their special teams issues by switching starting kickers. Starting with Joshua Karty, they moved on after week nine. They signed Harrison Mevis to the practice squad and elevated him to the starting kicker. Karty was 10 of 15 on field goals and 23 of 26 extra points. However, the switch proved vital as Mevis went 12 of 13 in field goals and didn’t miss an extra point.
Next season, the team must invest in a better special teams coordinator if they want to hoist the Lombardi trophy. In 2021, when the Rams won the championship, they started the season poorly on special teams but recovered and had a strong second half. The unit went from poor to solid, which was good enough to help them win a ring. McVay’s blatant disregard for improving an important phase of the game has cost them opportunities to win the Super Bowl.
Solutions
If the Rams are truly serious, they must trade or sign a kick and punt returner this offseason. The addition of Shaheed by the Seahawks was one of the most impactful trades at the deadline. The speedy receiver made a big difference for the Saints and helped Seattle win the Super Bowl this season. His addition was one of the most important midseason additions in recent history, helping the Seahawks in the second half of their Super Bowl run.