2015 Predictions: St. Louis Rams defense will lead NFL in sacks

The St. Louis Rams have one of the best defensive lines in the game. With a defensive coordinator that has a no holds bar on blitzing opposing quarterbacks, the Rams defense will lead the NFL in sacks in the 2015 season.

The Rams have one of the best one-two punches with a couple of the most explosive edge rushers in the game with Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Speaking of explosive pass rushers, The line also consists of last years Defensive Rookie Of The Year, Aaron Donald, who has shown he is one of the best defense tackles in the game.

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Let’s not forget run stopping machines Michael Brockers, Eugene Sims and new Ram Nick Fairley. Fairley will play an important role in the defense line come Week 1.   Last season, the Rams finished with the 17th Best Defense in the league, allowing 351.6 yards per game and totaling 40 sacks. Not bad, considering Quinn got off to a very slow start, and Long was hurt for most of the season because of an ankle injury. Chris Simms talked about the Rams defensive line on the Rams Team Stream Video Show in Early August. Simms went on to praise the defensive line by saying,

"“When they got Nick Fairley, Aaron Donald the defensive tackle, Chris Long and Robert Quinn on the outside. Holy quarterback hell is what is going to happen. I do not want to play quarterback against this defense”"

Last Year Donald and Quinn were defensive sacking machines as they combined a total of 19.5 sacks. From 2011-2013, Long totaled 33 sacks in three years and averaged almost 11 sacks per year. With Long healthy once again, along with Quinn, should total more than 18 sacks total.

With Quinn and Long collapsing the opponents offensive line from the edges, it should make life a lot easier for Donald, Brockers and Fairley. Last year Donald and Brockers totaled 11 sacks, and with the help of Fairley, that number will surely rise.

Dec 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) line up against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Oh, but the fun does not stop there. The Rams also have key players behind the defensive line that have been known for getting in the backfield. The captain of the defense, middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, has averaged about three sacks per season. Laurinaitis is the quarterback of the defense making adjustments throughout games. Those pre-snap adjustments bring strong blitzes, and disguises that will keep the offense guessing.

The Rams have the ability to lead the NFL in sacks, and they have ability to do it now. I think they will, as this team slowly makes their way up the NFC West ladder and takes back a division that was once theirs. What better way to make some noise in the NFC West, by leading the NFL in sacks for this upcoming season.