Rams’ kicker Mevis braces for freezing Chicago showdown in NFC playoffs
The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for a freezing NFC divisional-round playoff against the Chicago Bears. Kicker Harrison Mevis, who grew up in northern Indiana near Soldier Field, will face familiar cold conditions. His accuracy and the team’s special teams could decide the game’s outcome.
Mevis joined the Rams in November and has since been nearly flawless. He made 12 of 13 field-goal attempts and all 39 extra points. In the wild-card win over Carolina, he contributed two field goals and four extra points.
The Rams’ special teams, however, had a costly error. In the fourth quarter, punter Ethan Evans had a punt blocked by Isaiah Simmons. The Panthers turned the mistake into a touchdown. Interim special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and Evans believe the issue can be fixed before Sunday’s match.
Forecasts predict temperatures in the teens and wind chills below zero. Mevis expects the cold to make the ball harder and shorten its flight. He will study wind patterns and target areas during warmups and halftime. His experience kicking in harsh Indiana winters may give him an edge.
The Rams’ special teams will be under scrutiny in Chicago. Mevis’s consistency and adjustments to the cold could prove vital. The team’s ability to correct earlier mistakes may shape the result.
