Week 2 keys to LA Rams victory over the Indianapolis Colts

I – Rams defense must continue to create turnovers

Even as the final score was noticeable in favor of the LA Rams, it was the Chicago Bears that were knocking on the door to score the first touchdown. If not for the tipped pass of inside linebacker Kenny Young and the interception in the end zone by defensive back David Long Jr., the outcome of the Rams’ first game may have been entirely different.

That is the power of turnovers and the reason why we were so consistent in our messaging about the inability of any team to succeed while shooting themselves in the foot by turning the ball over. In 2020, the LA Rams created 22 takeaways, good enough for the 11th-best in the NFL.  Unfortunately, the same Rams coughed up the ball 25 times, the 25th worst in the NFL.  If the Rams had eliminated giving the football away, they had enough offense, defense, and special teams to challenge for a Super Bowl win.

This year, the Rams are off to a great start. Creating two turnovers against the Bears helped the defense neutralize the Bears’ ability to run very effectively against the Rams. Advancing the football and moving the chains can be wiped away by a team that forces that offense to turn over the football. The Colts will be able to move the football in Week 2. It will be up to a very opportunistic Rams defense to steal the football away and make it all count for nothing.

The LA Rams have surrendered just 14 points per game so far. Of course, they faced a Chicago Bears offense that nobody expects to be among the NFL’s Top-10 offenses with Andy Dalton under center. But the Bears do have a very balanced offense that relies on the rushing of running back David Montgomery, the versatility of tight end Cole Kmet, and the pass-catching ability of wide receiver Allen Robinson.

This will be a game for the LA Rams secondary to jump some routes and pick off a few passes. if the Rams pass rush can get to the quarterback, the defensive backs can get a few interceptions. That is the key to this defense this year. Get the football. Hand it back to the offense. Wash rinse repeat. The Indianapolis Colts are a team that is desperate for a win. The LA Rams can use that desperation against them and emerge with their second win of the season in the process.