Los Angeles Rams punter Ethan Evans was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his contributions against the Seattle Seahawk in Week 11.
Evans averaged 42.2 yards across six punts against the Seahawks last Sunday with a long of 52. His most important kick, however, came in the fourth quarter with the Rams trying to protect a two-point lead.
After the Rams offense was unable to put away the game, they had to make one final stop of Sam Darnold and the Seahawks.
Evans helped the defense in a big way by pinning the Seahawks back inside the 1-yard line with a 50-yard punt.
It was a huge play as Darnold ended up moving the Seahawks past midfield, where kicker Jason Myers missed what would have been a game-winning 61-yard field goal attempt.
Evans was also the holder for a Rams kicking operation that saw Harrison Mevis make all three of his extra point attempts. He also handled kickoff duties for L.A. and all four of his went for touchbacks.
Evans is the third Rams player to earn NFC Player of the Week honors this season, joining wide receiver Puka Nacua (Offensive Player of the Week for Week 4) and inside linebacker Nate Landman (Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1). Evans was previously named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 11 of the 2023 season against the Seahawks.
Rams head coach Sean McVay praises Ethan Evans for big punt against Seahawks
The Rams’ win over the Seahawks might not have been possible without Evans’ final punt, and head coach Sean McVay made sure to praise him after the game.
“It was big,” head coach Sean McVay said. “It was awesome to be able to see special teams… you’re not taking for granted making all the extra points. We needed every single one of them today. I thought Ethan… He did a great job on those. He had to speed up his delivery on a couple, but the protection was really good. Shaheed’s a dangerous returner and so we kind of had a specific approach that we wanted to take. But what a job by Ethan.”
