Rams kickoffs are getting a lot of attention from commentators

I missed a lot of the 3rd quarter. Had to take my car in, had an appointment (tire issue). I could watch the game on my laptop with Sunday ticket while I was in in their waiting room, so I did see the 4th quarter. Anyway today I posted the “condensed replay” and watched the 3rd quarter (condensed replay vids of all games are here: https://theramshuddle.com/topic/texans-at-rams-condensed-replay/ ).

I saw a couple of nice catches in the 3rd quarter but also, I noticed the Rams kickoffs. The Rams changed their kickoffs and it’s working. Probably a lot of people know this but it’s worth some remarks.

According to new league rules in 2025, the kickoff must land in the receiving zone (between the goal line and the 20). Any kick that lands initially in the end zone or lands in and goes through the end zone is an automatic touchback to the 35.

Ah but. Any kick that hits and remains in the receiving zone must be returned. Any kick that hits first in the receiving zone and then goes into the end zone must be returned or downed by receiving team. If it’s downed in the end zone then it’s a touchback to the 20. ‘

So what are the Rams doing? They’re kicking line drive bouncers into the receiving zone. Those must be returned and can’t be touchbacks spotted at the 35. And they’re bouncy and hard to field. As I said, if no receiver fields them and they bounce into the endzone from the receiving zone they must be downed or returned, and the touchback for a downed bouncer that goes into the endzone puts the ball at the 20. Not the 35.

The Rams plan to do it this way (bouncy line drives) is working. They’re forcing teams to return bouncy line drives and the result is to keep them from having automatic touchbacks to the 35.