3 Week 1 underperformers Rams' defense needs to bounce back vs Giants

Myles Garrett clearly wasn't himself in his Los Angeles Rams debut, but what about the rest of the defense put through a wood chipper by the 49ers' quick-hitting attack?

The pass rush couldn't get home. The run defense crumpled. Kyle Shanahan carved up Chris Shula's soft coverage with ease, and on a rare deep shot, Rams DBs left DeMarcus Robinson an airstrip to the end zone. 

Shula has his own work to do - be more aggressive, stop getting slice n' diced on the short stuff! - but any significant improvement will come from the players themselves. Edge rusher Byron Young leads three who need to provide a lot more thump in Week 2.

3 Rams defenders who must lead the charge against the Giants

Outside linebacker Byron Young

As for so many of his teammates, Thursday was far from Young's finest moment. Young finished the day with one tackle and a pair of pressures. Okay, fine, whatever. More meaningfully, the eye test wasn't pretty. 49ers offensive tackles had little issue keeping him at bay. 

Tight end George Kittle played the game on a snap count as he eases back from an Achilles injury. That didn't stop him from knocking Young on his back in a comic microcosm of the Rams' collective effort. 

Last season's team leader in sacks, Young will be under the microscope to lead the edge rush during Garrett's absence. He'll have to step up his game in Week 2 against the Giants.

Nose tackle Poona Ford

It's the only data point this season, so we'll keep on saying it: the Rams' run defense surrendered 174 rushing yards on 30 carries as Christian McCaffrey and Company bulldozed through the line. 

As the spearhead of such efforts and centerpiece of the first line of defense, Ford bears as much responsibility as anyone. Rams fans weren't used to seeing Ford shoved around by opposing centers and guards last season, when he ranked fourth in PFF grade among interior defenders. 

Giants running back Cam Skattebo trampled the Cowboys for 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while quarterback Jaxson Dart added 54 yards of his own. Keeping Dart in contain and stuffing Skattebo at the point of attack should be priority No. 1 for Ford and the Rams defense.

Safety Kamren Kinchens

Week 1 was a disappointing way to start what many envisioned as a breakout season for Kinchens, a natural ballhawk and playmaker. Unfortunately, his most notable play against the Niners was when he broke too late to cover the streaking Robinson on one of the easiest 39-yard touchdown throws you'll see. 

While the bust was a collective failure, Kinchens was the leading culprit as a centerfield security guard and closest defender once Robinson broke free downfield. PFF graded him 73rd out of 79 safeties for his Week 1 performance. 

Against a confident Dart and what could turn out to be one of the league's underrated receiver rooms, the Rams will need Kinchens focused and fleet afoot when the Giants come to town

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