3 Rams on the rise entering Week 2 to face the Colts

Okay, winning football games in Week 2 takes a different set of variables. Week 1 in the NFL is all about the element of surprise, executing plays flawlessly, and all about controlling the game by doing things just as they were practiced all week. The LA Rams certainly were able to execute the deep pass incredibly well. So well, in fact, that the Rams scored two long touchdowns and just missed a third long touchdown pass by 18 inches when Cooper Kupp’s knee hit the football field just before the football crossed the plane.

That all worked because the LA Rams held the Bears offense off the scoreboard until the Rams put up 13 points. After that, the Rams’ offense kept on the pressure and the Rams defense played very effectively to hold the lead.

This week, the defense will have an equally difficult task of keeping the lid on the Indianapolis Colts offense. But can the defense perform as well? That question will be answered by the entire defense in this one, but a few players had a helluva game against the Bears and could be just as effective this week against the Indianapolis Colts.

DB Darious Williams played the entire game against the Bears in Week 1, and will likely play the entire game against the Colts this week. Willams allowed just five of seven completions, holding the receivers to just 36 yards in the game. While he didn’t manage an interception, he did break up a pass on his way to recording seven tackles. I believe that he could claim his first interception of the year in this one,  and even get a nice return.

ILB Kenny Young has finally claimed the LA Rams staring linebacker role since coming to the team as part of the compensation for trading DB Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens.  In his debut, he recorded 10 tackles, tipped a pass to his teammate for a drive-stopping interception, and also came up with a fumble recovery. That was an incredible way to start the year as the Rams starter in the middle of the defense. He will need to show stiffer run defense in this one, but the team is confident that he will grow rapidly into a dependable starter.

OLB Justin Hollins at times seemed to be THE pass rush for the LA Rams defense. Although he was named as the starter rather early in training camp, the expectation for what he might deliver off the edge was no better than someone who could take the majority of the defensive snaps. Instead, the Rams discovered an edge rusher with a bit of panache for getting to the quarterback. He had eight tackles in Week 1, including two quarterback sacks. The Rams will need a similar effort from him in this one.

The Rams offense can score points. Now, it will be up to the Rams defense to prove that they can stop an effective offense from doing so.