Rams Special Teams Coordinator Chase Blackburn Analyzes Chargers Punt Return TD
The Los Angeles Rams played bend-don't-break defense for over a quarter, holding the Los Angeles Chargers to just six points in nearly a quarter and a half.
After the Rams' second-straight three-and-out, punter Ethan Evans boomed a 61-yard punt, which was a good start until Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis made an 81-yard house call to open the score to 13-0 at the time.
"On that specific play, obviously, open-field tackling was a big issue for us," Rams special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn said. "Give credit to the returner, them setting up the blocks, and they actually aborted the return, had it set up the other way and he found the crack and went.
To that point in the game, the Chargers had two 13-play drives that they had to settle for field goals on. The Rams' scuffling offense had yet to settle into its groove they established late in the first half and carried into the second half, and the special teams score gave the Chargers a spark that aided three more touchdowns.
Blackburn said the Rams need to play "contain" in the open field to prevent returners from getting a crease and turning a punt into a momentum-shifting play.
"We're going to punt the ball and it's going to go a long way," Blackburn said. "It's going to be turned into more of a kickoff than a punt. Spread the net, converging on it, coming to balance and being able to fill that void."
Special teams can turn the tide of a football game in an instant, and with the Rams' offense and defense still finding its rhythm in the early going, they'll need to be on their Ps and Qs on that front.
You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
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