Special teams could play a pivotal role when the Rams play the Bears in an NFC divisional-round game at Soldier Field.
Ben Kotwica, the Rams’ interim special teams coordinator, grew up in Chicago.
“It’s neat to go back home,” Kotwica said. “That ‘85 Bears team was right in my wheelhouse during those times.”
Kotwica said windy conditions during the Rams’ 34-31 wild-card victory over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., provided “a good test-case” for what they might encounter at Soldier Field. Harrison Mevis kicked two field goals and four extra points in the victory.
“It gets exacerbated at times to be transparent with you,” Kotwica said of discussions about the weather. “Wind can obviously be a factor. But with the cold, they have heated benches.
“Again, last week with Harrison, specifically his ability to handle that wind, I think it was a good experience for him.”
The Rams, however, gave up a blocked punt against the Panthers that led to a touchdown.
Kotwica, who was elevated to his position after coach Sean McVay fired Chase Blackburn in late December, said the Rams were set up to protect correctly, but one player got beat.
“We’ll learn from it,” he said. “We’ll be better for it.”