It’s been a recurring trend for the Los Angeles Rams this past season with poor special teams play. And once again, the special teams unit let down the team at the most crucial time.
Down 13-17 with 12:16 seconds in the third quarter, punt returner Xavier Smith muffled the punt and gave the Seattle Seahawks the ball back, which was viewed by many as the turning point of the game. Smith, 28, is in his second season and was primarily a return specialist for the Rams this season.
This has been the team’s Achilles heel for the whole season. In fact, the Rams fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn not too long ago, on December 20th.
Despite this, head coach Sean McVay had nothing but good things to say regarding Smith and the rest of the team.
Sean McVay Shares His Thoughts
McVay was asked after the game about the crucial mistake made by Smith on special teams, and he shared his thoughts.
“It’s tough, you know, because X man has been reliable, and he bobbled the first one we were lucky to get back on it. Then that one, it was costly. I love him. He’s done a great job, and obviously Kyren [Williams] did a nice job being able to field it from that point on. That was a tough one, where we get a great stop coming out of the second half. You feel like you’ll be able to get some momentum and then they score on the very first play after we turn it back over to open it up to an 11-point lead.”
Again, it’s absolutely brutal to have that costly a mistake in a closely contested battle, but that was the reality for the Rams.
McVay also had some closing thoughts on the game, sharing his appreciation for the team and his gratitude.
“I love this team. I wasn’t ready to stop working with them. Thought we had two more weeks together. But I am really grateful for each of those individuals and the collective. It’s a special of a group, top to bottom, as I’ve ever been around.”
Fans Respond to Poor Special Team Performance
GettyXavier Smith #19 of the Los Angeles Rams muffs a punt as Dareke Young #83 of the Seattle Seahawks recovers the ball during the third quarter in the NFC Championship game.
Not just Rams fans, but NFL fans in general took no time to let their feelings be known on X (Twitter) about the Rams’ special teams performance.
“You knew the Rams’ special teams was gonna hurt them at the worst time” @RyB_311
“Rams have the second-lowest total EPA on special teams this year. Seahawks second highest” @StevePalazzolo_
“This is the exact moment when the game got away from the Rams. Special Teams had been a problem this whole season and it got us again in the end. You have to win all 3 phases of the game to be a championship team. Still Love My Rams” @JDSA88
It’s an unfortunate way to end the season for Los Angeles, and the hope is they can fix the mess that was the special teams unit this offseason.
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