LA Rams OLB Justin Hollins played too hot to come off the field

The LA Rams had reason to be nervous. This was his first start for the LA Rams, and nobody knew what the team should expect, or even could expect. While he had been one of the more dependable players in the past, this was a new day, a new game, and a new role. No, we’re not talking about veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. Rather we’re chatting about the LA Rams starting outside linebacker Justin Hollins.

By the time the final gun sounded, the Rams had to be asking themselves: What were we so nervous about? Hollins may be young, but he stepped up for this one like a well-seasoned veteran. Stepped up, you say? Well yeah. In a career-high, who-the-hell-IS-that-guy? kind of way. Hollins had a career night, an eight tackle, two quarterback sack kind of night that helped shut down the Chicago Bears offense at critical times in the game.

The Rams defense certainly needed a few heroics at times. The Bears’ offense, while only putting up 14 points, moved the ball rather effectively. Bears running back David Montgomery ran just 16 times and put up 108 yards and one touchdown on the Rams defense, a team that did not allow a single 100-yard rusher a year ago.

How good will this Bears offense be this year? After all, without knowing that, it’s hard to judge how good the LA Rams defense was or will be. The defense allowed the Bears to run the ball and catch the ball but kept everything in front of them. Eventually, the numbers game played out. The Rams got turnovers, turnovers on downs, and even forced the Bears to punt once. Eventually, the pass rush got to Bears quarterback Andy Dalton. Aaron Donald got one sack. Justin Hollins got two sacks.