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Turning point: Mis-hit kickoff returned for touchdown
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-point-mis-hit-kickoff-returned-for-touchdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Here is a look back at the turning point play in the St. Louis Rams' 34-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon:
The situation: Despite some missed first-half opportunities, the Rams still trailed the Chiefs only 10-7 at halftime. The Chiefs felt fortunate to have a lead, and the Rams surely had to be frustrated by the deficit. But there was plenty of time for the Rams to right the ship. Or so it seemed. Kansas City won the toss to open the game and deferred, leaving the Rams to take the ball first and give the Chiefs the first possession of the second half. After kicker Greg Zuerlein failed to convert a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter, the Chiefs countered with three of their own to swing momentum toward Kansas City. That put the onus on the Rams to get a stop right after coming out of the locker room.
The play: To open the third quarter, the Rams called for Zuerlein to hit the opening kickoff deep and into the left corner, presumably preventing Chiefs kick returner Knile Davis from even having an opportunity to bring the ball out. It's a play the Rams had executed in the game and have made work many times. But as Zuerlein approached the ball, he tried to kick it too hard and ended up kicking more of a line drive. Davis fielded the kick quickly at the Chiefs' 1 and began maneuvering his way down the right sideline. The Rams had some opportunities at him with Zuerlein actually coming closest. Safety Cody Davis appeared to be held on the play but it wasn't enough to draw a flag and once Davis got past Zuerlein, he had clear sailing the rest of the way. The result was a 99-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The fallout: Before this play, the wheels were already in motion for the Chiefs to go on a run and potentially put the Rams away before the fourth quarter. But without even allowing their defense to get a stop and get the ball back, the Rams found a way to dig themselves into a deeper hole. For a special teams unit that a week ago was the toast of the league, it was a major step back.
"It was a bad kick," coach Jeff Fisher said. "We were trying to get a deep left kick and he just shanked it and they got off and running. I haven’t seen it. Usually when that happens, you are going to get potentially a hold or two but it’s uncharacteristic of our cover team not to make that play. But that was a key play. It’s what they needed to win this game. We didn’t get that."
What the Rams got instead was an avalanche of points that ultimately led to a 27-point loss the likes of which many Rams thought this team had moved past.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-point-mis-hit-kickoff-returned-for-touchdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Here is a look back at the turning point play in the St. Louis Rams' 34-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon:
The situation: Despite some missed first-half opportunities, the Rams still trailed the Chiefs only 10-7 at halftime. The Chiefs felt fortunate to have a lead, and the Rams surely had to be frustrated by the deficit. But there was plenty of time for the Rams to right the ship. Or so it seemed. Kansas City won the toss to open the game and deferred, leaving the Rams to take the ball first and give the Chiefs the first possession of the second half. After kicker Greg Zuerlein failed to convert a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter, the Chiefs countered with three of their own to swing momentum toward Kansas City. That put the onus on the Rams to get a stop right after coming out of the locker room.
The play: To open the third quarter, the Rams called for Zuerlein to hit the opening kickoff deep and into the left corner, presumably preventing Chiefs kick returner Knile Davis from even having an opportunity to bring the ball out. It's a play the Rams had executed in the game and have made work many times. But as Zuerlein approached the ball, he tried to kick it too hard and ended up kicking more of a line drive. Davis fielded the kick quickly at the Chiefs' 1 and began maneuvering his way down the right sideline. The Rams had some opportunities at him with Zuerlein actually coming closest. Safety Cody Davis appeared to be held on the play but it wasn't enough to draw a flag and once Davis got past Zuerlein, he had clear sailing the rest of the way. The result was a 99-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead early in the third quarter.
The fallout: Before this play, the wheels were already in motion for the Chiefs to go on a run and potentially put the Rams away before the fourth quarter. But without even allowing their defense to get a stop and get the ball back, the Rams found a way to dig themselves into a deeper hole. For a special teams unit that a week ago was the toast of the league, it was a major step back.
"It was a bad kick," coach Jeff Fisher said. "We were trying to get a deep left kick and he just shanked it and they got off and running. I haven’t seen it. Usually when that happens, you are going to get potentially a hold or two but it’s uncharacteristic of our cover team not to make that play. But that was a key play. It’s what they needed to win this game. We didn’t get that."
What the Rams got instead was an avalanche of points that ultimately led to a 27-point loss the likes of which many Rams thought this team had moved past.