It's not even training camp, but NT Kobie Turner already circled this rematch

The Rams are growing into DC Chris Shula's defensive scheme

The Rams fans are a bit fickle in some ways, but this is a high-IQ fanbase that recognizes the potential of new Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula's defense. Shula is not about passivity, and he does not stick with a binary menu that offers two options. He is an epicenter of defensive creativity, and he was more than happy to baffle offenses with formations that placed two down linemen on the line of scrimmage, as well as five down linemen on the line of scrimmage.

It's not that one defensive iteration was necessarily better. But the ability of Shula to keep offenses guessing while he experimented with who could and who could not deliver in 2024 was admirable. The same Rams defense that allowed 41 points to the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 2 matchup held the Cardinals to just nine points in Week 17.

The difference? By Week 17, the Rams defense began to understand its role in Shula's defense. And that mutual understanding allowed players to excel, and for Shula to place them in a position to succeed. Consider the Rams pass rush that only generated nine quarterback sacks in the first five games of the season.

The same pass rush exploded for 16 quarterback sacks in just two playoff games.

Was it just a blip? Some NFL version of an anomaly? I don't think that's true. The Rams defense surrendered an average of 27.8 points per game across the first five games of the 2024 NFL season. That same defense allowed an average of just 18.6 points per game over the final five games of the season. That includes the final game of the season in which the Rams sat their starters. It also includes that phenomenal shootout with the Buffalo Bills, a game that the Rams won by a score of 44-42.

The Rams pass defense was superb as a result as well. The Rams allowed a net passing average of just 114 yards per game in the NFL playoffs. Shula was masterful in getting a young and inexperienced defense nearly to a level to stymie the Philadelphia Eagles offense. Had the team not played in a blizzard or shot itself in the foot with two turnovers, it may have emerged with the upset victory.

It's not even training camp, but NT Kobie Turner has already circled this rematch. I'm certain that his teammates have as well. Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles are a very good team. And yes, the Eagles are one of the most balanced NFL rosters in 2025. But the Rams know what they are up against in 2025, and have had a lot of time to stew over their two losses.

The Rams are a passionate football team with a great deal of motivation to alter the outcome this year. And the team is far more experienced, not just in the NFL, but in Shula's defensive scheme, too. Eagles fans have plenty of reasons to be confident in their team this year. But so do Rams fans. May the best team win.

As always, thank you so much for reading.

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