How did Rams special teams woes cost the season?
Rams special teams woes: One mistake could end the season
Rams special teams woes have become the defining vulnerability of this season. Because of costly errors, each game now feels like a coin flip. Therefore readers should pay attention, because one mistake could end Los Angeles’ title hopes.
Recent miscues piled up quickly and they hurt in real ways. Carolina blocked Ethan Evans’ punt with just over four minutes left, and four plays later the Panthers scored a touchdown. Moreover, the team suffered two blocked kicks in Week 3 against Philadelphia. In addition, the Rams missed crucial kicks in an overtime loss to Mac Jones, and then again versus San Francisco weeks later. Rashid Shaheed returned a punt sixty yards for a touchdown against Seattle, and that comeback cost the Rams the NFC top seed and the division crown.
The tone here is cautionary and direct. Sean McVay did change coordinators in Week 16, but the shift hardly solved the issues. Although Harrison Mevis provided stability at kicker, the unit still ranks poorly and could doom this team’s playoff run if it slips again. As a result, urgency is the only acceptable response now.
Key failures: Rams special teams woes laid bare
Special teams mistakes cropped up at the worst moments. The errors came in clear categories: blocked punts, blocked kicks and missed field goals. Each failure cost the Rams points or momentum, and therefore they shaped outcomes directly.
Blocked punts and returns
- Carolina blocked Ethan Evans’ punt with just over four minutes left. Four plays and 30 yards later, the Panthers scored. That swing erased a chance for L.A. to control the clock and forced a comeback attempt.
- Rashid Shaheed returned a punt fifty eight yards for a touchdown on Thursday Night Football. As a result, Seattle completed a comeback that cost the Rams the NFC top seed and the division crown.
Blocked kicks and protection breakdowns
- The Rams allowed two blocked kicks in the Week 3 loss to Philadelphia. Those plays shortened drives and flipped field position. Consequently, those blocks made a close game feel out of reach.
Missed field goals and clutch kicking
- L.A. missed two crucial kicks in an overtime loss to Mac Jones. Two weeks later, missed kicks again mattered against San Francisco. These misses turned potential wins into damaging losses and dented playoff seeding.
Cumulative impact
Short term, these errors cost points and wins. Longer term, they lowered the Rams’ special teams EPA and eroded margin for error in January. Ben Kotwica replaced Chase Blackburn in Week 16, but the change barely moved the needle. Although Harrison Mevis stabilized the kicking spot, the unit’s miscues still threaten to cut the season short. In sum, each mistake added risk, and that risk became unacceptable for a team with title ambitions.
Coaching swaps and EPA decline: Why one coach swap did not fix Rams special teams woes
Sean McVay replaced Chase Blackburn with Ben Kotwica in Week 16. However the switch produced minimal improvement. The issues ran deeper than coordinator title changes. Because schematic gaps and execution problems persisted, the unit kept losing critical plays.
Look at the numbers to see the trend. From 2017 through 2019 the Rams ranked eighth in special teams EPA. From 2020 through 2025 that mark fell to thirty second. Moreover the drop included five special teams coordinators across that span. Consequently stability vanished and performance cratered.
Personnel and allocation problems compounded schematic faults. Although Harrison Mevis stabilized the kicking role, protection and coverage units failed repeatedly. For example, blocked punts and blocked kicks happened in pivotal games. As a result, opponents gained short fields and momentum. That directly altered outcomes.
Coaching changes alone could not repair habit and culture. First, scheme tweaks require practice reps and repetition. Second, player assignments and technique needed correction. Third, accountability structures for special teams had to be clearer. Therefore firing or replacing a coordinator late in the season offered limited returns.
Systemic problems also included prioritization. The Rams invested heavily in offense, and rightly so. However they often neglected special teams detail and depth. Consequently mistakes persisted and margins shrank as the season progressed.
In short, the problem is structural and cultural, not merely personnel. Unless the front office accepts that reality, similar failures will repeat. As a result, Rams special teams woes remain an existential threat to postseason hopes.
Quick comparison: Special teams performance before and after the decline
Below is a side by side table that highlights key special teams metrics and costly incidents from the article. This makes the drop in effectiveness easy to scan.
| Metric | 2017 to 2019 | 2020 to 2025 | Notable incidents and impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special teams EPA ranking | 8th | 32nd (five special teams coordinators) | The plunge in EPA points to systemic decline and instability |
| Blocked punts and blocked kicks | No major incidents listed in this article | Multiple high-cost breakdowns: Carolina blocked Ethan Evans’ punt; two blocked kicks in Week 3 vs Philadelphia | Short fields and momentum swings led directly to opponent scores and losses |
| Missed field goals | No incidents listed in this article | Two missed kicks in the overtime loss to Mac Jones; missed kicks again vs San Francisco | Turned potential wins into losses and dented playoff seeding |
| Punt return touchdowns allowed | Not listed | Rashid Shaheed 58-yard punt return TD vs Seattle | Directly fueled Seattle comeback that cost the NFC top seed and division crown |
| Extra point and field goal reliability | Not listed | Harrison Mevis nearly perfect in regular season; playoff 2-for-2 FG and 4-for-4 XP | Kicker stability exists, yet other special teams failures nullified that benefit |
| Coordinator stability | Relatively stable performance | Five different special teams coordinators from 2020 to 2025 | Frequent turnover hindered continuity, technique work and accountability |
This table shows clear cause and effect. Therefore the numbers and incidents together explain why Rams special teams woes became a season-long problem.
Conclusion
Rams special teams woes remain an acute and immediate threat to the Rams’ postseason hopes. Over the season, blocked punts, blocked kicks and missed field goals produced short fields and momentum swings. As a result, the Rams lost critical games and ceded the NFC top seed and division crown. The Carolina blocked punt late in the game and Rashid Shaheed’s 58 yard punt return are vivid examples of how a single play changed outcomes.
Coaching changes from Chase Blackburn to Ben Kotwica offered a stop gap, but they did not fix deeper issues. The team’s special teams EPA fell from eighth in 2017 to 2019 to thirty second from 2020 to 2025. Therefore the problem looks systemic. It involves scheme, technique, personnel and organizational priority. Unless the front office demands accountability and invests in coaching, practice reps and depth, these errors will repeat.
In short, the Rams must act now to avoid another premature exit. For continued coverage and analysis of these developments, trust Rams News LLC. Visit Rams News and follow coverage on Twitter for updates and commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Rams special teams woes?
The Rams special teams woes refer to repeated breakdowns on punts, kicks and coverage. Because these errors often led directly to opponent points, they became season-defining. In short, blocked punts, blocked kicks and return touchdowns created momentum swings.
Did the coaching change fix the problem?
No. Sean McVay moved from Chase Blackburn to Ben Kotwica in Week 16. However the swap produced limited improvement. Therefore the issues appear systemic rather than purely tactical.
Which game errors mattered most this season?
Key incidents included Carolina blocking Ethan Evans’ punt late in the game. Moreover the Rams suffered two blocked kicks in Week 3 versus Philadelphia. In addition, missed kicks in overtime against Mac Jones and again versus San Francisco cost wins. Rashid Shaheed’s 58 yard punt return versus Seattle also flipped a critical outcome.
Is Harrison Mevis firmly part of the solution?
Mevis largely delivered. He missed only one regular season field goal. Furthermore he went 2 for 2 on field goals and 4 for 4 on extra points in the playoffs. However kicking reliability alone cannot mask coverage and protection failures.
Do these problems threaten playoff success?
Yes. These mistakes cost the Rams the NFC top seed and the division crown. As a result, the team must address scheme, technique and accountability to avoid repeat disappointments.