LA Rams pass rush is beginning to find its range at the right time

Let's check on the data

Before we go about touting the Rams pass rush of 2023, it's probably a wise idea to assess our hypothesis to some data. For starters, we can check the year-to-date quarterback sacks of the LA Rams, and then see how that ranks against all 32 NFL teams

The Rams have recorded 27 quarterback sacks in 12 games, which is good enough for 23rd best in the NFL. But that only tells part of the tale. Are the Rams consistently poor at getting after the quarterback? Or have the Rams gotten more effective as the season has progressed?

In 12 games, the Rams have sacked the opposing quarterback 27 times. But in the first six games of the season, the Rams had only gotten to the opposing quarterback 10 times. In the most recent six games this season, the Rams have improved significantly, getting to the opposing quarterback 17 times.

If the Rams had their most recent pace throughout the entire 2023 NFL season, the Rams would come in at 48 quarterback sacks over 17 games. While that would not top the NFL in quarterback sacks (the Baltimore Ravens have 47 quarterback sacks in just 12 games), it would place the Rams into the middle of the pack in terms of quarterback pressure.

The Rams defense is loaded with young players, and young players need time to get the right cadence, an adequate number of pass rush moves in their arsenal, and sufficient experience to become successful at chasing down NFL quarterbacks consistently. So the Rams may be wise to gives serious consideration to bringing back young players who are showing positive trends in 2023, in the expectation that they will be even more effective in 2024.