This week, special teams aren’t exactly the hot topic.
It’s not particularly exciting, especially with such a crucial matchup looming for a Super Bowl spot. We have the Rams’ top-tier offense facing off against the Seahawks’ elite defense in the raucous Lumen Field.
All the hype usually focuses on the quarterback and the star receiver. That’s where everyone’s eyes are.
However, if you’ve been paying attention—like, really paying attention—you’ll see that special teams play a pivotal role in this NFC Championship Game. They’re like the match’s hidden fuse.
Both teams have played this narrative before, yet it seems no one is truly listening.
The Rams’ special teams have been rocky all season, a glaring weakness that stands out regardless of clever play-calling.
There were blocked field goals, including two late in a tough loss to Philadelphia. Not to mention a blocked punt in a wild-card game against Carolina that could have turned the tide. Then there was a missed field goal in Seattle during Week 16 that played a big part in the outcome.
On the flip side, Seattle’s special teams operate with a certain edge. They appear to thrive as if they know how to seize momentum—it’s almost as if they think of it not as a notion but as something tangible that can be snatched away if you’re aggressive.
Rashid Shahid is the embodiment of that aggressive mindset.
He doesn’t require much—a single misstep can be enough. Just a kick that’s not perfectly executed can open the door. We’ve seen his potential, such as when he returned a 58-yard punt for a touchdown in December, shifting the odds in a tight game.
That’s why coach Sean McVay recently took a step he rarely considers, pulling the emergency lever.
Chase Blackburn, the long-time special teams coordinator, was let go. Ben Kotwica stepped in—a clear message that the special teams couldn’t continue to falter quietly.
Kotwica isn’t about completely overhauling the Rams’ special teams; rather, he seems quite focused on refining it. The goal is to concentrate on upcoming plays instead of dwelling on past mistakes.
“Our focus is on the plays we’re going to make,” Kotwica said this week. “It’s not a play we wouldn’t make.”
That sounds simple, yet when January comes around, each error feels magnified. Opponents will exploit every single weakness.
Kotwica is well aware that Shahid’s name keeps showing up on scouting reports.
“Shahid is like a great hitter,” Kotwica noted. “You can’t keep throwing the same pitch; you have to mix it up.”
This approach applies to every detail—ball placement, hang time, and coverage angles. Fans might not notice these subtleties unless something goes drastically wrong.
Then there’s punter Ethan Evans, who has quietly become essential to this game. He understands the strategic plays involved. If he consistently sends the ball out of bounds, he’s losing field position. If he kicks it in the middle without enough hang time, Shahid can capitalize.
“If I don’t kick the ball outside the numbers, I’m probably setting it up for him,” Evans said, emphasizing their preparation throughout the week.
This isn’t bragging; it’s about strategic positioning. Evans isn’t looking to make highlights; he aims for solid, controlled plays that keep the chaos at bay.
Kotwica believes this confidence is concrete. He reflected on a pivotal Week 11 punt that found its way to the 2-yard line, noting how it influenced the entire drive. What seemed minor at the time actually had significant ramifications.
“If that ball goes into the end zone,” he remarked, “they could have a decent chance to score.”
That’s the game within the game this Sunday.
Seattle has faith in its special teams just as strongly as in its main roster. Jason Myers is reliable, while Michael Dixon can switch field positions smoothly. Shahid can alter the flow with just one intelligent play. The Rams are still working to restore that same level of confidence, one kick at a time.
But come playoff time, what you did in the regular season or earlier rounds doesn’t matter as much. It’s all about the here and now.
And if this NFC Championship Game boils down to a critical swing in hidden yards, a well-placed punt, or a coverage unit that holds firm under pressure, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. The quietest aspect of the game might just end up being the loudest storyteller.
This Sunday, special teams will be anything but an afterthought.
That could very well determine who is set to head to the Super Bowl, while the other team reflects on how something so seemingly small turned out to be vastly significant.
