Coaches always say that “special teams win games”, but in the case of the Los Angeles Rams and Johnny Hekker on Monday night against the Chicago Bears, the veteran punter proved just how valuable those plays can be.
Hekker punted five times and landed every single one of his punts inside Chicago’s ten-yard line, averaging over 44 yards per punt and leaving the Bears sometime sporadic return game with no play-making options. The punts, which varied from long-range power kicks to perfectly placed coffin corner shots, displayed Hekker’s true skill across the board and completely changed the field position for their opponents at multiple points.