NFL expert and hard evidence agree that Rams DC Chris Shula is playoff-worthy

Time for some trend analysis

But as we noted in the previous slide, the Rams defense gets plenty of pressure from the front four as well. So what else should we be looking at? How about tabulating the Rams defensive performances, per game, of the 2024 NFL season so far? That can give us both data and trends to analyze:

*drag the bar at the bottom of the table to left or right to display what you want to see

So what does the table tell us so far about the Rams defense?

Trend 1 - Pass defense is 'not bad' since Week 3

After getting torched by the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers in Weeks 2 and 3, the Rams' secondary became a bit stingier. The Rams allowed seven passing touchdowns in the first three games, and only five passing touchdowns in the past four games. Not only that, but the team has allowed an average of just 185.5 passing yards over the past four games. Coincidentally, DB Ahkello Witherspoon has been competing over the last four games.

Trend 2 - Rams are allowing fewer points per game

This defense started the season feeling very generous, allowing opposing teams to score an average of nearly 35 points per game in the first two contests. In the next three games, the defense improved to allowing teams to score just 24 points per game. No, that's not just the average score. In Weeks 3 through 5, the defense allowed opponents to score 24 points in each game. But over the past two games, since the BYE week, the defense has allowed opponents to average just 17.5 points per game. That coincides with the team's two-game winning streak.

Trend 3 - Rams run defense is getting very respectable

The Rams run defense has shown the most improvement. This team allowed an average of 177 rushing yards per game over the first three contests. In the past two games, that average dropped to just 93 rushing yards per game on average. And the team's best rush defense occured in Week 8 when the defense held the Minnesota Vikings to just 64 rushing yards. Should I mention the fact that run-stuffing savant Omar Speights debuted for the Rams in that contest?

Still not convinced? Chiding the Rams defensive coordinator seems to be an annual event. But LA Rams DC Chris Shula deserves far more respect than he is getting right now. The team did not exactly start him out with All-Pro players. Instead, the team has invested in a very young defense per Shula's specs. Over time, this group has absolutely gotten better.

While more tests and contests await the group in the future, one image is beginning to come into focus. The defense appears to be up for the challenge

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