12 days of Christmas winners for the LA Rams in a Week 16 win over the Jets

(9) - OLB Jared Verse

While there may be a nadir in Jared Verse's recorded quarterback sacks, do not be lulled into mistakenly concluding that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with. Rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse is fundamentally strong and adept at all aspects of an outside linebacker role. and he continues to do all of the seldom-noticed things to ensure the team continues to win.

While there is no replacing the leadership and elite production of All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald after his retirement, there are other ways to compensate for his absence. The team certainly leans heavily on NT Kobie Turner to defeat double team,s and terrorize quarterbacks. But rookie Jared Verse continues to generate significant positive contributions in each game this season:

What fans may not be aware is the fact that Jared Verse appears more like an NFL veteran than a rookie on the football field this season. And he is not about flashing after a quarterback sack as much as many think. He is a cold-calculating defensive savant, knowing that he must perform all the responsibilities of an NFL outside linebacker if he is to help the team win. So that is exactly what he does:

Jared Verse is a chirpy defender, a player who simply does not play silently. And that is a huge benefit to a team that has not had that type of player in the past. How so? In previous years, there was no lightning rod that attracted intense scrutiny from opposing players and NFL analysts. That has not always worked out well, as too much scrutiny has a tendency to create a negative feedback-loop that can cause even worse production.

But Jared Verse fuels his performance from fans' feedback as well. When visiting Minnesota Vikings fans seemed to cheer at the injury of veteran defensive back Kamren Curl, OLB Jared Verse took notice. Well, he did more than that. He grew angry at visiting fans. Shortly thereafter, he reciprocated to the irresponsible Vikings fans by sacking quarterback Sam Darnold, and celebrating by repeating the SKOL clap over and over on the football field.

I knew at that moment that the Rams had found their starting edge rusher for many years.