10 reasons to believe LA Rams defense makes the difference this year

VI – Rams adapt to offense

The Rams defense has been good this season., But after halftime, the defense has been downright smothering. That’s because this defense can adapt to what the offense tries to do. Just check out the scores in the second half compared to the first half.

So in 11 games, the Rams have allowed 153 points in the first half, and just 62 points in the second half.

Adapt or perish

The NFL is pretty fast-paced and is getting faster all the time. At one point, defenses could stick with the same philosophy for an entire season and win. Then, defenses began to change it up to stop a specific offense. Then defensive coordinators began to flex their defense to create an advantage with each opponent.  Now to keep up, game planning must be capable of changing at half-time. At some time it may be quarter by quarter.

As offenses have harnessed the computing power of data analytics, so too have defenses begun to infuse data analysis to spot trends, percentages, coverages.  But in order to weed out the chaff from the wheat, the defensive coordinator must be fluent in on-field dynamics in addition to backroom charts and spreadsheets. Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is that guy.