Whenever Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker lines up in punt formation, there’s always the possibility of him attempting a pass out of a fake punt play.
The former Oregon State star and high school quarterback did just that Sunday during the Rams 26-23 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game.
Trailing 13-0 and facing a fourth-and-5 from their own 30, the Rams pulled out the fake punt. Hekker completed a 12-yard pass to Sam Shields on the play, giving the floundering Rams an injection of energy and momentum. Watch
The Rams needed something to turn their fortunes around. Hekker’s completion provided a big boost. The play eventually led to a 36-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein for the Rams’ first points of the game early in the second quarter.
Hekker is no stranger to completing passes on fake punt plays. He has completed 11-of-19 passes the regular season during his career and 10 of those passes resulted in a first down.
— Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
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