Here's why Rams HC McVay disagrees with fans views of Shula's defense

LA Rams fans love the offense, no matter what. But when the defense takes the field, they have no shortage of outrage on social media, whether or not the team wins. Whether is comments on Facebook after articles, or simply outrage posted on X, the tirades come fast and furious. Even after the team's Week 9 win on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, some fans were dissatisfied.

That was after the defense put up seven sacks, three interceptions, and a pick-six. In fact, the defensive score against the Seahawks extended the streak to four consecutive games with the defense putting points on the scoreboard. Is that rare? Let's take a look.

After eight games, four Rams defenders have scored points. In all of 2023, not one Rams defensive player scored. In fact, you have to go all the way back to 2022 to find DB Cobie Durant with a pick-six. No defenders scored in 2021. Two Rams defenders score four times in all of 2020. Five Rams defenders scored in 2019.

So this Rams defense, as young and inexperienced as it is, is much better than the vocal vitriol-laced tirades seem willing to admit.

But one person who does 'get it,' is none other than Rams HC Sean McCay. He has a lot of authentic respect and praise for his young defense. And through it all, he realizes that the offense, the most expensive offensive unit in the entire NFL, is simply not delivering this season.

Defense, by nature, is a difficult role to fill in the NFL. If the offense is playing well, the defense simply needs to ensure that the opponent scores fewer points. But if the offense is not playing well, as is the case for the Rams right now, their task become far more difficult. The team loses if the defense allows the opposing team to put up points.

Just check out the defensive summary to Week 9. The Seattle Seahawks had no business pushing the game into overtime. But until OT hit, the Rams offense offered next to nothing in terms of points scored.

Let me explain. When regulation ended, the Seahawks scored 20 points, the Rams offense scored 13 points, and the Rams defense score seven points. But to be even more fair: The Seahawks score a touchdown after Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw an interception.

The defense may not be elite. But it is time to stop holding the defense to a much higher standard. If you get what you pay for, then the Rams defense should be statistically last in all categories. But they are improving rapidly, and they are arguably at a level worthy of competing in the NFL Playoffs.

Ultimately, any team that can put points on the scoreboard from the defense ought to be winning games. To be truthful, it's been the defense that has led the charge after the Week 6 BYE. Now, the offense must step up.

Or the 4-4 Rams will fall back into another hole of their own making

As always, thanks for reading.

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