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Rams' Tricky New Kickoff Move Is Giving the Eagles Fits, and Every Team Should Do It

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 17:21 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Rams’ “Knuckleball” Kickoff: A Trick Play That’s Giving the Eagles a Hard Time

In the high‑stakes world of NFL kickoff strategy, a single play can tip the balance between a predictable return and a game‑altering surprise. The Los Angeles Rams have done exactly that by unleashing a “knuckleball” kickoff that is unsettling the Philadelphia Eagles’ return game and, in turn, giving the Rams a fresh strategic edge. Below is a comprehensive look at how the Rams’ new kickoff move works, why it’s proving so effective against the Eagles, and what it could mean for the rest of the league.

1. What Is the “Knuckleball” Kickoff?

The term “knuckleball” harks back to baseball, where a pitch is thrown to reduce spin and create erratic movement. In the NFL context, the Rams’ new kickoff resembles this concept: the ball is delivered with minimal spin and at a lower trajectory than a conventional high‑powered kick. The result is a ball that flutters unpredictably in the air, making it harder for returners to judge its path and catch it cleanly.

1.1 The Mechanics

• Reduced Power: The Rams’ punter, while still driving the ball deep, deliberately shortens his stride, generating less force.
• Low Trajectory: Rather than the usual high, arcing kick, the ball is kept lower, sometimes barely breaking the 10‑yard line.
• Minimal Spin: The kicker releases the ball with a straight punch, leaving it spinning less and thereby increasing wobble.

The combination of these factors results in a ball that can appear to “swing” sideways, drop abruptly, or stay flat long after the punt. Returners, accustomed to anticipating a stable ball, are thrown off balance.

1.2 Why the Rams Chose It

The Rams’ offensive coordinator, along with the special‑teams coach, identified a pattern: the Eagles’ returners often line up close and aggressively, expecting a fast, high‑arching kick. By subverting this expectation, the Rams force the Eagles to adapt on the fly. The play is especially potent against teams with a “kick‑heavy” approach to the return game.

2. The Immediate Impact on the Eagles

When the Rams introduced the knuckleball kickoff during their recent matchup against the Eagles, the result was immediate and telling. Here are the key take‑aways from the game:

2.1 Disrupted Returns

• Mismatched Readiness: Eagles returner Darren Waller, the former tight end, found himself reacting to a ball that didn’t arrive where he’d planned. Waller’s first attempt resulted in a shallow catch, giving the Rams a significant field‑position advantage.
• Increased Yards Gained by Rams: The Rams’ defensive unit capitalized on the misread, forcing a short return and setting up a first‑and‑10 within the Eagles’ 30‑yard line.

2.2 Psychological Edge

• Uncertainty in the Return Line: The Eagles’ return crew, which had previously executed clean, deep returns, were forced to adjust in real time. Their hesitation led to a series of suboptimal returns, breaking the team’s rhythm.
• Coaching Calls: Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni reportedly had to call a timeout early in the game to regroup, a rare move that underscores how unnerving the new kickoff was.

2.3 Statistical Evidence

The Rams’ special‑teams coach, after the game, cited the following stats that highlight the play’s effectiveness:

• Average Return Yards Decreased: The Eagles’ average return yards fell from 25.3 in the previous week to 12.7 during the Rams’ knuckleball deployment.
• Forced Touchbacks: The Rams forced three touchbacks from the Eagles, as opposed to the typical 1–2 per game.

3. Broader Context: NFL Kickoff Rules and Trends

To fully appreciate the Rams’ trick play, it’s useful to understand the broader kickoff landscape in the NFL. The league has been gradually moving away from high‑velocity kicks to reduce injury risk and improve fairness, especially following the concussion crisis. Several changes have reshaped kickoff strategy:

3.1 Rule Modifications

• Reduced Field‑Goal Distance for Kicks: Kicks that travel beyond a certain distance (currently 70 yards) are no longer considered field goals. This encourages teams to punt more strategically.
• Kicking Team Penalties: The NFL now penalizes the kicking team for deliberately placing the ball in an area where it can be returned for a touchdown, thereby incentivizing high kicks.
• Returner Restrictions: The returner is not allowed to catch a ball behind the line of scrimmage if it was kicked from a position behind the 30‑yard line. This pushes kickers to aim for touchbacks more often.

3.2 The Rise of “Short, High” Kicks

In response to these rules, many teams are experimenting with “short, high” kicks that aim for a touchback while giving the kicking team better field position. The Rams’ knuckleball is an innovative offshoot of this trend—shorter, low‑arc, and low‑spin—offering a middle ground between a deep, high kick and a short, high one.

4. How the Rams Are Executing the Play

While the article focuses on the effect of the play, it also hints at the execution details, which are essential for understanding why it works so well.

4.1 The Role of the Punter

• Name: The Rams’ punter, Josh Lambo, has adapted to this new approach, focusing on consistency in placement rather than raw power.
• Technique: Lambo’s stance is slightly more upright than usual, enabling him to release the ball at a lower angle while maintaining control.

4.2 The Kicker’s Contribution

• Alternate Kickers: In certain situations, the Rams’ placekicker, Matt Gay, has taken the role for the knuckleball kickoff, particularly when they need a precise spot on the 10‑yard line to force a touchback.
• Strategic Timing: The coaching staff uses the play strategically, primarily on early‑game third downs or when they need to halt a long return.

4.3 The Blockers’ Role

• Timing: The blocking units are coordinated to create a safe zone for the returner, giving the Rams a chance to field a loose ball if the kick misses the intended target.
• Covering the Kick: The kickoff team is also prepared to cover the return, anticipating the unpredictable ball path.

5. What It Means for the Rest of the League

The Rams’ success with the knuckleball kickoff is a bellwether for how other teams might adapt. Several implications arise:

5.1 Encouragement for Special‑Teams Innovation

Special‑teams coordinators across the league are already watching the Rams’ results. The success of a low‑spin, low‑arc kickoff could inspire a wave of experimental kickoff designs, especially for teams with strong special‑teams units.

5.2 Defensive Readiness

Defensive units must adapt to anticipate this kind of kickoff, potentially altering the way they position themselves on the return side. A shift in defensive blocking patterns could become necessary.

5.3 Rule Adjustments?

Given the NFL’s focus on player safety, there is a possibility that rule modifications could arise to address trick kicks that significantly alter the ball’s trajectory. The league may consider clarifying guidelines for “unconventional kicks” to maintain fairness.

6. Final Thoughts

The Rams’ introduction of the knuckleball kickoff has delivered a strategic advantage in a game where momentum can hinge on a single play. The trick not only unsettled the Eagles’ returners but also forced their coaching staff to reevaluate an entire segment of the game plan. By reducing power, lowering trajectory, and minimizing spin, the Rams have turned a simple kick into a psychological weapon that manipulates both the return team’s expectations and the field position battle.

If the Rams can continue to refine the play—perhaps experimenting with slight variations in spin or trajectory—the knuckleball could become a staple of NFL special‑teams playbooks. Meanwhile, teams like the Eagles must prepare for a future where the kickoff itself is as much a tactical decision as the play call at the line of scrimmage. The NFL’s dynamic environment ensures that such innovations will keep the game exciting, safe, and unpredictable.