First and foremost, no one can truly predict sports. But if we had to select teams to contend for the playoffs, why do we always look at offenses and make immediate assumptions?
Green Bay – Great Offense, Terrible Defense, Atrocious Special Teams
New England – Great Offense, Declining Defense, Average Special Teams
Indianapolis – Great Offense, Average Defense, Below Average Special Teams
According to FootballOutsiders.com, top 2014 special teams squads included Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Buffalo. All four teams aren’t shoe-ins for the playoffs each season, but why are “experts” (fancy guys in suits making their own opinions) over-looking special teams?
The Art of Special Teams
Here’s what we know. Special teams consist of eleven players which include a punter, kicker, long snapper, and a collection of “gunners” that rush and protect the football. I will agree that 90 percent of the time, we see a generic play that we expect to happen (i.e. touchback, fair catch, 20-yard return on kickoff, 10-yard return on punt return). Most of the players on special teams are lower on depth charts and make their contributions in KR, PR, FG, Onside kick plays.
Big Plays
When the punter or kicker boots the ball down the field to the returner, it’s hard not to hope for a big play. In a sport like football where the outcome of the game is dictated on which teams had more big plays, why do we shun out special teams from the conversation?
Ever turn on SportCenter on a Monday morning and watch the highlights from Sunday’s action? Which plays make you say “Wow!” upon first reaction? It’s special teams!
During each Super Bowl, we try to predict who’s going to come out on top by looking at defense vs. offense matchups. We try to anticipate which key player will embrace the spotlight and become the next household name. But in more cases than not, special teams makes an appearance in the most unpredictable moments:
- Kyle Williams muffed punt vs. NYG in OT (2011 NFC Championship Game)
- New Orleans onside kick to open second half vs. IND of SB XLIV
- Devin Hester opening kickoff return for TD vs. IND in SB XLI
- Jacoby Jones 109-yrd kickoff return for TD vs. SF XLVII
These are just some of the most unpredictable special teams plays in the NFL’s biggest games that will always be remembered.
Trick Plays.
What gets you heart pumping more than a special teams trick play? I can’t think of one. It’s the unexpected moments than we never see coming that amaze us the most. Fake field goal passes/runs and laterals are the most common trick plays, but they only work when they’re abrupt and unpredictable.
Here’s the best montage of special teams trick plays. Packers fans, look away…
