
The end of the NFL season produces various rankings of NFL special teams units based on performance during the regular season. The so-called “third phase” of football is equally important, if not more so, in the playoffs, demonstrated by the last-second wins by the Bengals and Niners yesterday. The Packers special teams units were universally ranked the worst and that held true last night with a blocked field goal and blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown.
Each year, I review the special teams rankings from NFL reporter Rick Gosselin, who ranks the special teams for each club in 22 different categories. Similarly, Football Outsiders uses its own formula to generate a DVOA to rank special teams. Former NFL special teams coach Ben Kotwica now does his own rankings, using both Gosselin’s and Football Outsiders. While everyone agreed the Packers were the worst, they were also in agreement that the Ravens had the best units.
Below are the top 5 units for each expert (listed 1-5):
GOSSELIN
Baltimore
Indianapolis
Seattle
Kansas City
New Orleans
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS
Baltimore
Jets
Kansas City
Rams
Seattle
KOTWICA
Baltimore
Kansas City
Jets
Dallas
Rams
Below are the bottom 5 units for each expert (listed 32-28)
GOSSELIN
Green Bay
Chargers
Cleveland
Tampa Bay
Carolina
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS
Green Bay
Jacksonville
Denver
Miami
Chargers
KOTWICA
Green Bay
Jacksonville
Denver
Atlanta
Tampa Bay