By the numbers, Rams DC Shula's defense deserves more respect, less vitriol

The fact that things can change rapidly is not something that the LA Rams or fans should take lightly. But it is that changing state of the Rams' defense that offers up so much hope for a fantastic finish to the 2024 NFL season. After starting with a record of 3-6, the team regrouped and launched into a 7-1 playoff run in 2023 that catapulted the team to the sixth-seed berth in the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

While it's still early, the Rams have leveraged the Week 6 BYE this year to a 2-0 streak that has more than a handful of fans feeling better and better. While the team is only 3-4, the upside is that the team could improve to a record of 5-4 after nine games, a much better vantage point than that of their 3-6 record after nine games last season.

The Rams defense, struggling with rookies, new veterans, injuries, and a new defensive coordinator who had to become comfortable with his players before invoking wholesale changes, was a bit disappointing out of the gates. From confusion in the secondary, to missed tackles, to a smattering of Keystone Cops, the team seemed to be spinning the wheel on defensive plays.

Fans saw poor optics on the football field, and were quick to call for changes. Veteran DB Tre'Davious White, whether still hampered by serious injuries, or struggling to fit in this secondary, was nightmarish in pass coverage. He has been a healthy scratch for the past three games. In his place, the team finally signed DB Ahkello Witherspoon to the Rams roster. That seems to have helped.

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But it all starts up front, and rookie OLB/DE Jared Verse is an undeniable force of nature off the edge. While sitting with 3.0 quarterback sacks, he had two more sacks taken off the board by defensive penalties. The most impressive aspect of this first-round rookie is his dedication to his craft. He is relentless:

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But the Rams are getting contributions from so many defensive players right now. Undrafted rookie defensive back Jaylen McCollough has limited defensive snaps, yet leads the team with three interceptions, including one pick-six. He had two interceptions in the Rams victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. His teammate DB Cobie Durant had an interception and a strip sack to help the team defeat the Raiders. And DB Kamren Curl, the player injured in Week 8 and who was disrespected by visiting Vikings fans, had a fumble recovery for a touchdown just one week earlier.

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Let's break it down. In the past two games since the Week 6 BYE, the LA Rams have only allowed touchdowns in one of eight quarters. And that one quarter, two touchdowns allowed in the first quarter of Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, was against an offense that outscored their opponents by a score of 52-3 in the first six games.

So it wasn't as though the Rams were failing where others had succeeded.

Beyond that 14 point outburst by the Vikings, this defense has surrendered 21 points in seven remaining NFL quarters. And some of those points were a direct result of offensive turnovers. That's pretty good stuff for a defense that was being pushed around early in the season.

It takes time to make corrections as a new coordinator. The team placed former starting ILB Troy Reeder on IR, opening the door for undrafted rookie ILB Omar Speights to try his hand in Week 8. Per Pro Football Focus, while he struggled in pass coverage, he was outstanding in run defense. As that was his first NFL game, he will improve with experience.

I'm not sure why fans are so quick to anger over the defense. What are your expectations? From what I have seen, this is a rapidly improving defense that has played a vital role in getting this team two consecutive wins. Right now, this defense is trending in the right direction. I would not be so quick to judge. After all, you may be trying to rid the Rams of one of the future playoff heroes.

As always, thanks for reading.

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