Where did the LA Rams special teams struggle in 2020?

We have mentioned that the LA Rams special teams have been slowly descending from a top-ranked unit in 2017, all the way down to the 27th ranked unit in the 2020 season. But now, the question aims at a sharper focus.  You see, special teams are the NFL version of miscellaneous, all other, or potpourri. It covers anything that is neither offense nor defense.

To focus this discussion, we turn to the football analysts over at Lineups.com and the incredible work that they do to break it all down into 17 separate distinct and defined categories. To avoid a verbose analysis that covers all 17 categories, we will brush any category where the Rams finished among the top 10 in that class aside. That allows us to avoid talking at length about opposing teams’ field goal attempts, opposing teams’ field goals made, opposing teams extra points attempted, opposing teams extra points made, opposing teams kickoff return, punt return, and punt net average.

So what’s left? Well, we know that the LA Rams did struggle in 2020 with the kicking game. But that should be much improved this year. Not only is the team confident with new placekicker Matt Gay, but the offseason training program will be fully stocked with plenty of game simulating plays, including three preseason games. So there are five categories (FG%, FGA, FGM, XPA, XPM) that should see a dramatic improvement in 2021.

Trouble spots

The Rams’ worst performances occur in kick returns, punt average, opposing team punt return yards, and finally, opposing team punts. So let’s break this down. Kick return struggles plagued the Rams in two areas. First of all, the Rams’ decision to field and return a kickoff was not always handled well. Secondly, once the Rams made the call to return the kickoff, the team was not very effective. The team will do much better in that area if the team simply practices when to fair catch, when to return the football, and when to allow the football to bounce into the end zone for a touchback.

The LA Rams were the worst at net punting. That is the Rams field possession after forcing a punt and returning it was the worst in the NFL.  It was so bad that the Rams were nearly 10 yards worse than the top NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars on each and every punt that they took.

If the LA Rams are aiming to be the best in the NFL, they need to play at or near the best in all aspects of the team. That is why the organization has invested so heavily in players who will contribute instantly to the special teams’ coverage and kicking units.

It’s not necessary for the Rams to top all special teams categories this year. But each incremental improvement lessens the burden on the offense and defense to be the best. The key is to end the season as the best team in the NFL. So the team is taking a holistic approach to getting better. And I for one have just this to say.

It’s about time. In fact, it could be the piece that pushes this team over the top.