7 reasons to remain bullish on the LA Rams
By Bret Stuter
![Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Framblinfan-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F15087261-850x560-a04f86985a7625f63415e885c9826a10c9b5a9c049e184e7868a085ec8e9a273.jpg)
Rams defense allowed 26 second-half points
The impression of the LA Rams defense has been very understated so far. The problem is that the Rams defense was unable to hold the Buffalo Bills offense in check. Meanwhile, the Rams offense was anemic in a winnable game against the San Francisco 49ers. As long as the defense can adapt and stiffen up, the Rams will be in a position to win.
Surveying social media has left the following statements made about the LA Rams defense.
The top complaint-The Rams defense needs to get more pressure on the opposing quarterback. Well, the Rams are fifth in sacking the quarterback in 2020, after finishing fourth in the category a year ago. Second complaint – The Rams paid Jalen Ramsey to be a shutdown cornerback, but he isn’t playing the part. So what do the experts say?
Great note. Ramsey is allowing the lowest completion percentage since PFREF began tracking the metric in 2018 (53.6) while already getting targeted at a higher rate than last season - and when he plays the Star, the Rams increase his ability to affect an offense snap-to-snap. https://t.co/Vs0HIrAq4e
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) October 23, 2020
The value of Ramsey on the defense is not interceptions, but rather forcing the opposing quarterback to throw somewhere else.
light. Trending. What of LA Rams S John Johnson III?
It’s all adding up
The LA Rams defense allows 19.0 points per game in 2020. That is down from 22.8 points per game in 2019. What is that in terms of total points in a season? 60 points. That’s significant over the course of a full season. And it’s the result of defense with a new defensive scheme and with several key contributors not yet playing or missing games. Add to that the complexity of the defense learning their new defense, and a positive trend begins to materialize.
Short clip of Rams DL A’Shawn Robinson from his first practice this afternoon pic.twitter.com/oHKZKdeGib
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 22, 2020
The Rams will get both Jordan Fuller and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo after the bye week. They may get A’Shawn Robinson to the 53-man roster before that. The Rams defense is not beaten or worn down. It’s is learning the defense. It is learning to shut down opposing offenses. But most of all, it is learning that it is getting stronger as the season moves on this season.