Transforming LA Rams defense to 4-3 could solve these 3 nagging problems

Run defense gets a boost

Let’s not create problems where there are none. The Rams had a very good run defense in 2020. But when the Rams needed to make a stop against the Green Bay Packers, they couldn’t.  Plain and simple. Sure, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns. That was a given. He’s going to get his yards in a playoff game.

But the Rams defense, as stout and as good as it was, made it too easy for him. In a game where the Rams needed their best defensive effort, they got their worst. The Green Bay Packers ran roughshod over the Rams, figuratively and literally.  By the final gun, the Packers put up 188 rushing yards on 36 carries.  That was good enough for a 5.2-yard rushing average. And the Packers rushed for two touchdowns on the ground.

The Packers used a running back by committee approach to keep the Rams defense off balance the entire game. Aaron Jones rushed 14 times for 99 yards. Jamaal Williams rushed 12 times for 65 yards. Even rookie A.J. Dillon rushed six times for 27 yards. No fumbles. In fact, flawless offense. The Packers punted just twice in the entire game.

Get bigger, get better

The Rams defensive front was simply too small to defend the rush.  The Rams tried to counter by getting some bigger bodies on the defensive line. A’Shawn Robinson played 15 defensive snaps and recorded two tackles. Greg Gaines played 19 defensive snaps, and also recorded two tackles. Michael Brockers played 60 snaps and recorded eight tackles. Sebastian Joseph Day played 48 defensive snaps and recorded six tackles. Injured Aaron Donald played 40 defensive snaps and recorded one tackle.

The problem was that the Rams rotated big bodies. What if the Rams have a defensive front of Brockers, Gaines, Robinson, and SJD to throw at the Packers to halt the rushing attack. Yes, the Packers offensive line is very solid, but for much of the game, they had options where they were double teaming the Rams.

While there are no certainties about the Rams defensive configuration in 2021, the current roster certainly seems to favor a 4-3 defense. And with a new defensive coordinator onboard who happens to have an extensive background in that, it could likely happen this year.