NY Giants may be the cure for LA Rams defensive malaise

A giant step forward in week four

But have no fear. Here come the NY Giants. After three games, they are the 26th ranked offense in yards and the 31st-ranked scoring offense in the NFL. While they have the 13th ranked defense, they have benefitted by facing a very rusty Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in game one, the quarterback controversy of the Chicago Bears in week two, and an injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers team in week three. The Giants are 0-3 and by all accounts deserve that record.

Of course, anything can happen in the NFL.  Doubly important is the lesson learned by an overconfident 3-0 LA Rams team in 2019.  So much so that this season’s week four contest seems to have invoked more than its fair share of caution. Unless the New York Giants unlock an ability to score at will, they will struggle to put up points against these Rams. And despite their defense seemingly a top performer in the NFL, they have not yet faced a good offense.

The Rams defense dominates

According to Pro Football Focus, the rankings of all 32 teams offensive lines are out.  The Rams defense has faced the 14th-ranked Philadelphia Eagles offensive line, the 17th-ranked Buffalo Bills offensive line, and the 22nd-ranked Dallas Cowboys offensive line.  Much like before, early-season rankings include each team facing the Rams defensive front.  The Rams have not yet faced the offensive line of the New York Giants, which is ranked 31st after three weeks.

The Giants sought to recast the offensive line with heavy OL drafting, in a year where rookies are at a huge disadvantage to learn an offense. Per PFF, the entire Giants offensive line is weak. So they are stuck with double or triple-teaming wrecking ball Aaron Donald in this one. The Rams’ defensive line is solid, and the Rams could get pressure and possible sacks from each of the defensive linemen in this game.