Pat McAfee won social media over for Rams punter Ethan Evans' spectacular feat

The life of a punter almost always rests in anonymity. Such is the case for Los Angeles Rams punter Ethan Evans. In a season with profound challenges across the special teams' spectrum, Evans has been a bit of an unknown. He averages 47.0 gross yards per punt, good enough for 21st in the NFL. He averages 40.0 net yards per punt, which is only good enough for 26th in the NFL.

What he does do gloriously is punt the football inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Next to a positive net turnover ratio, forcing an opponent to start from inside their own 20-yard line on offense is a component of successful football teams. Right now, Evans ranks third in the NFL in that category. And yet, he directly contributed to LA's shocking success in Week 11.

And former Colts' punter, Pat McAfee, was there to applaud the feat:

In a game of inches, Ethan Evans' pressure-packed punt placed 3,588 inches between the Seattle Seahawks and the end zone. Ultimately, getting parked at their one-foot line proved to be the difference.

How so?

A final play was a 61-yard field goal attempt by Seahawks kicker Jason Myers was no good. Had the Seahawks started their drive at the 20-yard line? His kick would have had plenty of distance.

Little things make LA Rams a team to watch in NFL playoffs

The popularity of Fantasy Football among NFL fans has been a huge boost to the overall popularity of the game. Rather than focus on one team, fans now have incentives to look across the league at individual performers, and that has buoyed their knowledge and appreciation at large.

But due to the way Fantasy Football scores, the microscope that examines receivers, quarterbacks, tight ends, and running backs does not turn its gaze to individual defensive and special team players to the same level of scrutiny. That means that anonymity for certain positions is a good thing.

Offensive linemen, special teamers, and even some defensive linemen are at their best when few NFL fans know their names. Those positions make headlines more frequently when something is amiss.

Pat McAfee knows this. He was a former NFL punter for the Indianapolis Colts. And yet, he has made a career of poking and prodding the NFL for newsworthy stories. A punt that parks an opponent at their one-foot line in a clash of 7-2 teams falls into that category.

Ethan Evans flashed brilliance in Week 11. But even for many Rams fans, the impact of his nearly perfect punt is already fading. Pat McAfee made it a point to draw attention to what may be one of the best punts NFL fans will witness this season.

As always, thanks for reading.