The Rams are trying to find solutions.
With a still-injury-depleted lineup, they have to reverse their 1-3 begin and keep away from falling out of the playoff race earlier than it actually begins.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers and quarterback Jordan Love are coming to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, and they’re going to face a Rams protection statistically ranked at or close to the underside of the NFL.
The Rams are second-to-last within the NFL in whole protection, giving up 385.3 yards per sport. They’re final in speeding protection (165.5 yards per sport), twenty first in go protection (219.8 ypg) and second to final in scoring protection (28.8 factors per sport).
“We’ve been stressing it’s about communication, playing together and I know we’ve had a few moving parts, but I don’t think it’s an excuse for anything,” first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula stated. “We have to play, and we expect to go play well.”
The Rams have solely three takeaways, which is tied for twenty seventh within the league, and 7 sacks, which is tied for twenty sixth.
Security John Johnson III’s fourth-quarter interception within the season opener in opposition to the Detroit Lions is the Rams’ solely interception.
“That’s the age-old question,” Shula stated when requested what the Rams might do to create extra interceptions. “If I knew it, I would do it right now — but that’s something that you harp on. … It comes from playing good defense. … You get [opponents] in more vulnerable situations.”
There have been a couple of brilliant spots for protection.
Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse, the No. 19 choose within the draft, was named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the month for September. The previous Florida State standout had a sack in opposition to the Lions however has missed quite a few alternatives within the final three video games to document extra.
Rookie lineman Braden Fiske additionally has created important strain.
Former Raiders operating again Josh Jacobs (8) provides one other dimension to the Packers’ offense.
(Matt Ludtke / Related Press)
In opposition to a Packers offense led by Love and operating again Josh Jacobs, the Rams should cease the run, create strain and power low-percentage passes. The Packers rank third in offense (410 yards per sport), seventh in passing (235.5) and second in speeding (174.5). They’re tied for sixth in scoring (26 factors per sport).
Earlier than the season, Love signed an extension that features $160.3 million in ensures, in accordance with overthecap.com. The fourth-year quarterback is nursing a knee damage, so the Rams should “assault” the pocket, lineman Kobie Turner stated.
“Hopefully, he’s not as mobile as he can be,” Turner stated. “But that’s the danger with him: He has the ability to kill you from the pocket, but he also has the ability to get outside of the pocket and create plays.”
The again finish of the protection should keep away from the penalties and communication errors which have plagued the Rams many of the season.
“Everybody needs to execute their one-eleventh of the defense every single play,” linebacker Troy Reeder stated. “It’s got to be the same sense of urgency from the first play to the last.”
Interceptions, gamers say, will come.
Improved communication, eye self-discipline and approach are the keys, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon stated.
“It’s just paying attention to detail,” he stated, “and not just like, ‘Oh, I’ll do it different on game day.’”
The secondary could possibly be bolstered if cornerback Darious Williams is activated to the roster.
Final spring, the Rams re-signed Williams, a member of their Tremendous Bowl championship crew, after he performed two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams, in his seventh NFL season, has 10 profession interceptions, together with 4 final season.
The Rams envisioned Williams beginning reverse Tre’Davious White, a former All-Professional for the Buffalo Payments who was coming off Achilles surgical procedure.
Williams suffered a hamstring damage on the second day of coaching camp. He was positioned on injured reserve earlier than the season opener, making him ineligible to return after 4 video games.
Williams practiced this week and was a full participant Thursday. McVay is predicted to replace Williams’ standing Friday for Sunday’s sport.
Security Quentin Lake stated gamers are working individually and collectively to reap the benefits of turnover alternatives.
Lake, for instance, lamented not making an adjustment that may have resulted in an interception or prevented San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings from making a spectacular catch within the second sport of the season.
“You still have a long season to go,” he stated. “Those opportunities will come, and I think we’re going to make those plays when they do.”
