DC Chris Shula's miraculous secondary effort ignites new hope for Rams

Here we are again, with another retraction regarding the LA Rams. Well, perhaps retraction is a bit over-the-top. Let's call it a revision. You see, the LA Rams secondary has been the kid brother to the team practically all season. The pass rush has been getting after opposing quarterbacks. But as far as the Rams' ability to corral and deny opposing wide receivers, the secondary has struggled to keep pace.

And the performance this season against quarterbacks and wide receivers in 2024 has been disappointing. In Week 14, the Rams' secondary made a very strong case for MVP honors for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

It seemed like a never ending descent for the Rams defensive backs, a tumble down the slope of ineffectiveness that might never end. And as long as the plummet remained unchecked, the entire Rams season hung in the balance. How could the Rams hope to compete in the postseason as long as opposing quarterbacks enjoyed season-high performances when facing the Rams.

But as hope seemed to be at its darkest point, the LA Rams secondary found a new strength, and against the most unlikely of foes. The Rams held the San Francisco 49ers to just 191 yards. Of that total, the 49ers put up just 142 receiving yards. And that is worth discussing.

Los Angeles held San Francisco to 191 total yards, the second fewest in any game under 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. pic.twitter.com/CeN7umdcRg
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) December 13, 2024

Yes, inclimate weather played a factor in this one. After all, Rams QB Matthew Stafford completed just 16 of 27 passes for 160 yards. So a hard driving rain did put a damper on the aerial assaults of both teams. (pun intended). And the 49ers were without WR Brandon Aiyuk, a player who does help out in balancing the 49ers receivers.

Last week the Rams had multiple players (S Quentin Lake, S Kam Curl and CB Ahkello Witherspoon) with two-or-more passes defended in a game. It was the first time the Rams have had three players with multiple passes defended dating back to Week 13 of 2007 vs Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/i2XTmCxGQE
— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) December 16, 2024

But let's not afford the 49ers offense too much credit in the 'woe is me,' department. The LA Rams had to play them just five days after being shredded by the Buffalo Bills and Bills quarterback Josh Allen. And to add insult to injury, the secondary had to regroup with just five days prep time over the absence of injured cornerback Cobie Durant, one of the defense's best defensive backs this season.

So who did the Rams shut down in Week 15? Let's take a look:

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