What are Rams special teams concerns entering the playoffs?
Rams special teams concerns entering the playoffs have become a clear and urgent storyline for Los Angeles. The unit has struggled all season, and therefore it now threatens the Rams postseason hopes. Blocked kicks, busted coverage, and inconsistent kicking have directly swung games. For example, a blocked kick against the Philadelphia Eagles turned into a Jordan Davis touchdown. Then, Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a score in Seattle. As a result, special teams keyed three of the four losses where those plays mattered most.
Injuries have deepened the problem. Shaun Dolac landed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and Jordan Whittington missed practices after his knee issue. Meanwhile, Chase Blackburn lost his job as special teams coordinator following the Seahawks game, and Ben Kotwica stepped up into the role. The unit also relies heavily on undrafted free agents, and rookie kicker Harrison Mevis has only two true high pressure attempts, going one for two. Therefore roster depth and experience remain major concerns.
This article takes a cautious and analytical tone. First we will break down field goal operation and long snap fundamentals. Next we will examine punt and kickoff coverage, then explore coaching fixes and replacement plans. Finally we will show how Week 18 seeding and a wild card weekend could hinge on these special teams weaknesses.
Rams special teams concerns entering the playoffs: Injury report and replacements
Shaun Dolac landed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and therefore the Rams lost their primary long snapper. Losing a long snapper matters because timing and trust drive field goal operation and punt placement. As a result, every kick and punt gains extra risk until a reliable replacement steps in.
The team has not publicly named a permanent replacement. However, the typical path includes signing a veteran long snapper or elevating a practice squad player. Undrafted free agents often fill emergency snaps, yet they rarely replicate the consistency of an experienced snapper. Consequently, snap-to-kick timing, hold angles, and blocked kick risk all rise when the long snapper role is in flux.
Jordan Whittington missed practices after suffering a knee injury, and he plays a core special teams coverage role. Without Whittington, the Rams lose a key tackler and gap player on punt and kickoff units. Coaches will likely shuffle core contributors and lean on undrafted free agents for depth. This approach can preserve snaps, but it may reduce lane discipline and open opponents to larger returns.
Kicking operations also remain fragile because rookie kicker Harrison Mevis has only two high-leverage attempts, converting one. Combined with a midseason coordinator change from Chase Blackburn to Ben Kotwica, the unit has limited reps to gel. Therefore playoff readiness depends on quick work in practice and shrewd roster moves to restore dependable long snapper and coverage fundamentals. Monitor Week 18 for final confirmations.
Chase Blackburn fired, Ben Kotwica promoted: coaching change and performance impact
The midseason firing of Chase Blackburn removed a coordinator who oversaw a struggling unit. Consequently, the Rams replaced him with Ben Kotwica. Kotwica has prior special teams experience, and therefore he brought a different practice emphasis. Some may say that the Rams’ special teams woes have improved since Kotwica has been at the helm. However, improvement has been uneven across punts, kicks, and return coverage.
Coaching changes change communication and technique. As a result, snap-to-kick timing and lane assignments must be rebuilt quickly. The team has limited game reps, because Week 18 and seeding matter. Read more on how the playoffs could unfold here: Rams Playoffs Wildcard.
Kotwica has tried to prioritize fundamentals and situational reps. Furthermore, he has leaned on undrafted free agents for depth. That strategy buys roster flexibility, yet it increases variance in late-game execution. A quote sums the worry: We should be worrying more about special teams more leading into the postseason.
Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis offers a mixed case under pressure. He is 1-for-2 in true high-leverage attempts. Therefore the staff faces a short sample problem when trusting a rookie kicker. By contrast, Tyler Loop missed a clearly decisive kick and cost the Ravens a playoff berth. That example shows how a single kick can end a season.
Coaches must balance confidence and contingency plans. As a result, roster moves before the wild card weekend matter. For context on power rankings and seeding implications see Rams Power Rankings Wild Card and Rams Week 18 Starters Plan.
| Game | Issue | Impact on Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs Philadelphia Eagles | Blocked field goal that was returned for a Jordan Davis touchdown | Immediate points swing and loss of momentum | Loss; special teams directly contributed to defeat |
| Week 5 | Field goal operation breakdown and punt coverage busts | Missed scoring opportunities and allowed big returns | Close loss; raised early-season concerns about fundamentals |
| vs Seattle Seahawks | 58-yard punt return touchdown by Rashid Shaheed | Rapid opponent scoring and breakdown in coverage lanes | Loss; prompted firing of special teams coordinator |
| High-leverage kicking game | Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis missed a potential 48-yard game-winner, later converted to force overtime | Exposed inconsistency under pressure and short sample for trust | Forced overtime; raised questions about relying on a rookie kicker |
| Multiple games | Reliance on undrafted free agents and backup long snapper snaps | Repeated timing and execution errors across field goal and punt units | Pattern: three of four losses tied to special teams failures |
Rams special teams concerns entering the playoffs boil down to two stark realities: poor results and limited depth. The unit cost the team meaningful games this season, and therefore special teams performance now matters as much as any other phase. Injuries to Shaun Dolac and Jordan Whittington have removed trusted hands from long snap and coverage roles. As a result, timing and lane discipline remain fragile.
Furthermore, the roster leans on undrafted free agents at key spots. That approach offers roster flexibility, but it raises variance in late-game execution. Meanwhile, a midseason coordinator change and a rookie kicker with a tiny sample size underline the short runway for fixes. If the Rams expect a deep playoff run, they must address long snap, punt lanes, and kicking reliability quickly.
This piece is produced by Rams News LLC. For ongoing updates follow our site at Rams News and our Twitter/X handle @ZachGatsby. Stay tuned for roster moves and Week 18 confirmations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the primary Rams special teams concerns entering the playoffs?
The main worry is inconsistent execution across kicking, long snapping, and coverage. Injuries, especially to the long snapper, and reliance on undrafted free agents magnify the problem. As a result, timing and lane discipline look fragile heading into the postseason.
How do Shaun Dolac and Jordan Whittington injuries affect special teams operations?
Dolac on injured reserve removes the Rams’ trusted long snapper, and therefore snap accuracy and hold timing face added risk. Whittington’s knee issue costs the team a core coverage tackler, which reduces lane discipline on punts and kickoffs.
Did the coaching change from Chase Blackburn to Ben Kotwica improve the unit?
Kotwica emphasized fundamentals and situational reps, and some signs show incremental improvement. However, results remain uneven across punts, kickoff lanes, and field goal operation. Therefore the staff still needs more reps to build trust.
Can rookie kicker Harrison Mevis be trusted in playoff kicks, and how does he compare to Tyler Loop?
Mevis has a tiny high-leverage sample, going one for two in crucial attempts, so trust remains conditional. By contrast, Tyler Loop’s miss cost the Ravens a playoff berth, and therefore that case illustrates how one kick can decide a season. Coaches may keep Mevis while also preparing contingency plans.
What roster moves or practice fixes would improve playoff readiness?
Sign a veteran long snapper or elevate a proven practice-squad snapper to stabilize kicking operations. Next, add a veteran emergency kicker and prioritize lane drills for punt and kickoff coverage. Finally, increase situational reps before Week 18 to reduce variance under pressure.