How about we give LA Rams DC Raheem Morris his due?

Compared to 2020

The LA Rams are every bit as talented as their 2020 version of themselves. No, I’m not hungover from too much post-game celebration. No, I’m not hyping up a mediocre defense. This is a solid fit, the left shoe to the 2021 offense’s right shoe. This is a solid and equal complement to the team.

So far in 2021, the LA Rams defense has surrendered 55 points (plus the seven points – one touchdown – attributable to the punting unit). In three games in 2020, the Rams defense had allowed 71 points. In fact, in two games, the Rams defense had allowed 54 points. Since defensive play is all about stopping the opposing team from scoring, the 2021 version is A.O.K. folks. Really. It is.

The 2020 version of the Rams offense was a very kind and gentle offense. It also depended heavily upon running the ball. In the first three games, the Rams offense controlled the clock 99 minutes of the 180 regulation minutes of those games. So far in 2021, the LA Rams have controlled the clock for just 83 minutes. That means that the Rams defense, in the heat of battle, has been averaging six minutes more per game so far. That’s a full ten percent of the entire game now burdening the defense. And it also translates into opposing offenses having ten percent more opportunity to advance.

The LA Rams 2021 defense is spending more time on the football field but is allowing fewer points. As a bonus, this defense is allowing opponents to convert third downs on just 16 of 35 opportunities, and convert fourth downs on just one out of seven chances. In the red zone? The Rams are allowing just 6 of 11 scores.

The LA Rams offense is built to score, and it does. It will score more as the season goes on.  These LA Rams are putting up nearly 32 points per game. In the first three games of this season, the LA Rams are allowing 20.7 points per game, a margin of over a 10 point differential.

Perhaps the LA Rams defense is just fine. Perhaps the real difference is that in 2020, the expectation was low and the performance eventually outperformed those expectations. In 2021? Expectations for the defense are sky-high. It took time for the Rams 2020 defense to gel. It will take time for the 2021 defense to gel as well. In the meantime, sit back and relax. Learn to enjoy the game. Fretting over each play takes the fun out of it. Instead, let’s give this LA Rams defense its due.

It’s been attacking quarterbacks, been staying on the football field far longer, and yet has held opponents to fewer points so far. Well played, Raheem Morris, well played.