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