LA Rams injury update: Head coach McVay talks roster and strategy

Special teams

The LA Rams special teams are getting hot at the right time of the year, but the Green Bay Packers special teams are among the Top-ten of the NFL. That’s for good reason. Their placekicker, Mason Crosby, is nearly automatic when he lines up to kick a field goal or extra point.  A veteran of 14 NFL seasons, he is still surgically precise, booting all 16 field goals attempted in 2020, and missing just four of the 63 extra-point attempts in the season.

Joining him is third-year punter J.K. Scott, who has a 45.5-yard gross punting average, but has allowed returns to erode that total to a 37.0 net punting average. The Packers return game is less than stellar, with a kick return committee led by wide receiver Darrius Shepard averaging 18.9 yards. The punt return game is another committee approach, led by running back Tyler Ervin for a 4.8-yard return average.

Rams special teams

We’ve discussed how the Rams special teams seem to have turned the corner late this season. They will need to continue the positive trend to aid the Rams defense for this one. Of course, the Rams have finally found a promising placekicker with their third starter, Matt Gay.  While Gay did miss two kicks upon his arrival, he’s been perfect in his last three games, including a solid performance in round one of the playoffs.

The Rams will need the best out of nine-year veteran punter Johnny Hekker in this round. Hekker’s 45.6-yard gross punting average, but his net punting average of 39.2-yards gives the Rams a slight edge in the battle for field position. The Rams kick-return game is led by wide receiver Nsimba Webster, averaging 20.6 yards per return. The punt-return unit is entirely Webster as well, averaging a decent 6.9-yard return average.

The Packers have been consistent all season, while the Rams have been gradually improving. Hopefully, the Rams special teams will overtake the Packers in this one.