LOS ANGELES — Growing up in Northern Indiana, Harrison Mevis used to shovel snow off his high school’s field to practice his field goals. So as the Rams prepare to face wintery and blustery conditions in the divisional round against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field — a mere 90 minute drive from Mevis’s hometown in Warsaw, Indiana — the kicker is nonplussed about the weather report.
“Right back at home,” Mevis said. “I’ve kinda been in that situation quite a bit. … Shoot, it’s backyard football.”
Speaking Thursday in the Rams locker room, Mevis calmly explained the factors he would be taking into account. The sub-20-degree temperature will likely make the bladder inside the football harder, for instance, meaning the ball might not travel as far as in typical warmer conditions.
Mevis plans on going out onto the field pregame in tennis shoes and a jacket, walking down each hash to pick out targets to aim at during the game.
“What I want to kick to, what the wind’s doing. And the wind might change,” Mevis said. “So halftime, you’ll see me go out, get a few kicks in, get out in the middle of the field, so how it’s changed and go from there. Just play your ball and slice the wind and spin it to win it. That’s kind of the deal.”
The matter-of-fact approach to the biggest stage Mevis has ever been on is part of why the Rams have grown so confident in the kicker, who was signed midseason after a series of misses from Josh Karty. Since then, Mevis has made 12 of 13 field goal attempts and all 39 of his extra points.
The Rams appreciated Mevis’ consistent trajectory on kicks when they signed him in November. That’s stayed true, even in the gusty conditions he faced in the wild-card round against Carolina when hit two field goals from over 40 yards out and all four extra points.
“He’s been outstanding. I think he is one of those guys where it doesn’t seem like his heart rate ever rises, it always stays the same. He’s steady,” head coach Sean McVay said. “That was really windy [in Carolina] and he drove that thing right down the pipe. … He’s been a freaking stud. I’ve been incredibly pleased with him.”
As for that calm demeanor, Mevis says that’s just who he’s been since his days at Missouri.
“I just want to win. I want to help this team win,” Mevis said. “I want to help in critical situations, go put three points on the board where we need it. … Just super competitive and want to help this team win.”
Injury report
Rams right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) will not have a game designation for Sunday’s game and is ready to start against the Bears, McVay said on Friday.
Dotson, who has been arguably the Rams’ most effective blocker this season, particularly in the run game, has missed the last three games with an ankle sprain suffered in Week 16 against the Seahawks.
“It means a lot,” McVay said. “To be able to get a physical player, his energy, his swag, his presence is excellent for us. … He had a good day yesterday and he’s got that good look in his eye.”
Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo did not practice on Friday with a sore back and will be listed as questionable for Sunday, but McVay did not seem concerned about his availability against the Bears.
“There’s nothing to lead me to believe that he won’t be ready to roll,” McVay said.
Rams defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson is dealing with an illness, but McVay said he is optimistic the third-year player will be available against the Bears.