Turf Show Times
Over the past five years of the Sean McVay era, the Los Angeles Rams have had a special teams problem. In 2023, the Rams had one of the worst special teams units of all time according to DVOA. After moving on from Matt Gay, the Rams’ kicking unit struggled. However, they also had issues on the punt return unit, costing them games.
However, that has seemingly turned a corner over the last year. Last season, the Rams got some stability at the kicker position with Joshua Karty. Additionally, Ethan Evans has been more than a solid punter and Xavier Smith has been good in the return game.
This season, the Rams have grown more accustomed to the new kickoff rules. This season, Rams opponents have had the lowest field position after kickoffs by a wide margin. A lot of this is because of Karty.
With the NFL adjusting the touchback to the 35-yard line, teams have been more willing to allow returns for the sake of field position. Still, there is a danger to allowing a return and the potential to take it back for a touchdown. It’s a reason why the NFL made the switch to the new kickoff rules.
After Evans took the Rams kickoffs last season, this year it has been Karty. The Rams had been using Evans for his leg and ability to kick the ball out of the back of the end zone. In 2024, Evans had the third-most touchbacks. However, with the adjusted touchback, Karty has taken the Rams kickoffs and thrived. His ability to squib kick a knuckleball of sorts into the landing zone has been unmatched. Essentially, Karty is taking a player used to playing center field and catching the ball out of the air into a shortstop. It’s like asking a center fielder to suddenly field a shortstop hop. Footballs are weirdly shaped and the bounce on a squib kick can be unpredictable. The Eagles struggled fielding these kicks throughout the game on Sunday.
Had it not been for the blocked field goals, Joshua Karty may have been in contention for the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Karty was 4-for-4 on field goals up to the two blocks. Had he made the game-winner, he probably still takes home the weekly award. On the block, Havenstein was knocked back and tripped, as was Beaux Limmer.
On the make from the same hash earlier in the game, Kevin Dotson is inside with Limmer outside. The Eagles still get penetration, but Karty is able to get the ball over the incoming rush. This is something that the Rams are going to have to fix. They’ve had three kicks blocked over the last two weeks. It didn’t cost them against the Tennessee Titans, but in close games, these plays are the difference.
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