Jared Verse eyes Saints Tyler Shough as next target of his relentless pressure

It's time for the 5-2 Los Angeles Rams to regroup and return to the football field. After jetsetting to Wembley Stadium to claim their fifth victory of the season, they have the bonus of playing three of their next four games at home in SoFi Stadium. Next up on the schedule are the 1-7 New Orleans Saints.

That's just fine for outstanding outside linebacker Jared Verse. While he is trailing teammate Byron Young (9.0 QB sacks) with 4.0 sacks, he remains a force to be reckoned with. Better still, he knows that after the BYE, it's tough sledding for the team, because it must play 10 straight NFC opponents and half of those games against NFC West Division Rivals.

And all of his attention right now is on how to thwart the offensive schemes of the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. After all, the Saints have chosen to start rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, a young man who is making his first NFL start. And he is about to get a painful and quite valuable lesson on how dangerous an elite NFL pass rusher can be.

Jared Verse is a more polished edge rusher in Year 2

Verse is enjoying another smoldering season. He may not get the Fantasy Football stats of sacks and interceptions that fans want to see. But he is a defensive coordinator's dream. DC Chris Shula lines him up at multiple spots on the defensive front, and fans love to see him bull rush the unsuspecting center in the Rhino formation.

Verse is well-named, because his VERSE-atility allows him to terrorize offensive linemen and quarterbacks from practically anywhere. And by the last check, he has been conducting a master class in putting pressure on quarterbacks.

According to the Los Angeles Rams PR media, Verse has recorded 5 or more pressures in the past five games. That only trails Detroit Lions Aiden Hutchinson in active streaks.

And yet, Young is leading the team in quarterback sacks by a significant margin. Does that anger the former Florida State Seminoles pass rusher? Not at all. It motivates him:

Los Angeles may be ahead of the trend of the past three seasons with five wins in seven games. But their Week 9 game is crucial. The team has yet to win a game against an NFC opponent.

All five victories have come against AFC teams. Losses have come at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers. A win against the Saints will be a great first step after the BYE.

That's the plan, and Jared Verse knows he is one of the defensive keys to ensuring that victory. Fans who want to see great performances will be in luck. The Saints are marching into SoFi Stadium. But Jared Verse is already preparing a welcome they won't soon forget.

As always, thanks for reading.