In a thrilling matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Jalen Carter, a standout player for the Philadelphia Eagles, shared insights about the team's special teams strategy, particularly the influence of Joe Pannunzio, the Eagles' assistant special teams coordinator. Carter affectionately refers to Pannunzio as “Joe Peezy,” noting his extensive 45-year coaching experience, which has significantly shaped the team's approach to special teams play. During special teams meetings, Pannunzio emphasizes identifying the opposing team's “fish”—the player who is most likely to make mistakes, making them a prime target for the Eagles' defense.
In the recent game, the Eagles pinpointed weaknesses on the left side of the Rams’ field goal unit. Film analysis revealed that the Rams’ last extra-point attempt was successfully blocked by the Tennessee Titans, where Arden Key split between reserve interior lineman Beaux Limmer and starting right tackle Rob Havenstein. This left side became a focal point for the Eagles, especially in the fourth quarter when Carter and teammate Jordan Davis lined up against Kevin Dotson, the normal starting right guard.
Carter's explosive speed off the snap allowed him to overpower Dotson, resulting in a crucial block that deflected Joshua Karty’s kick. The ball ricocheted off Carter's arm and hit Davis, maintaining the Eagles' deficit at just five points with under nine minutes remaining in the game. Following the game, Carter downplayed his initial block, stating, “I don’t even care about that, we got that real block,” referring instead to a more significant play made by Davis.
As the game progressed, the Eagles continued to capitalize on their preparation and attention to detail. On Karty’s first blocked kick from 36 yards, the team observed that his kick trajectory was lower than anticipated, an observation that played a critical role later in the game. When Dotson left the game due to injury, Limmer took his place, creating an opportunity for the Eagles to exploit the Rams' weakened left side.
With the Rams in a position to potentially win the game, quarterback Matthew Stafford drove the team down the field, setting up Karty for a 44-yard field goal attempt. Having noted the angling from the earlier kick, Carter and Davis lined up against Limmer. Davis instructed Carter to “take an angle,” which led to a pivotal moment where Davis overpowered Limmer, blocked the kick, scooped up the ball, and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown.
Davis emphasized the importance of fundamentals, stating, “It came down to just the technique and the fundamentals of everything.” He highlighted how the team approached the field goal block as a critical play rather than just another down. Throughout the second half, the defensive linemen consistently reminded each other that the game was far from over, which ultimately fueled their comeback effort.
Reflecting on the victory, Carter remarked, “This is what they got us for. All points matter. If we could stop them from getting one point, all we got to do is win by one point.” This mentality proved successful as the Eagles secured a 33-26 victory over the Rams.
As the game concluded, Davis celebrated in the end zone, surrounded by his teammates. “The fight in that team, the drive, the hunger that they had... fighting until the very end,” he recalled, emphasizing the resilience displayed by the Eagles throughout the match. Despite a rocky start, the team’s determination led them to victory, demonstrating that every player, including “Joe Peezy,” played a crucial role in their success against the Rams.
In conclusion, the Eagles' ability to adapt and exploit weaknesses in their opponents, along with a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategy, has positioned them as a formidable force in the league. As Carter noted, their preparation and execution in special teams play were key to their triumph, proving once again that in football, every moment counts.
