Rams DC Chris Shula officially has a massive defense problem on his hands

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams are heading to the playoffs. That was determined after the team defeated the Detroit Lions in Week 15. But the team is starting to trend in the wrong direction. In the past four games, Los Angeles is just 2-2. Why?

The once-stingy defense (and special teams) has allowed 120 points to be scored in the past four contests. That's horrific. Since beating the stuffing out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12 by a score of 34-7, defensive coordinator Chris Shula's defense is getting eaten alive.

This is not unexpected. This is a defense that is one of the cheapest in the NFL. Because Shula is a relatively fresh defensive coordinator, he has been able to get more out of his defense through scheme, strategy, and surprise.

But this is nearly the end of his second season as the defensive coordinator. His players know what they are supposed to do. And now, so do opposing offenses. And it all works when everyone is strong and healthy. But this has been a nightmare for secondary consistency.

Quite frankly, DC Chris Shula's defense is getting eaten alive

Rams defense suffering a million paper cuts, and it's getting worse

It's a time of year when the team needs to be playing its best football. But the trend is going in the opposite direction. The defense allowed 81 points and corralled some of the NFL's elite running backs in the first four games. However, it has allowed 120 points and over 160 rushing yards twice over the past four games.

Once feared among NFL defenses, Los Angeles now fields a defense that offenses salivate over. The defense is now ranked 25th in yards allowed and seventh in points allowed. However, even as the average appears to showcase this group with some potency, the latest trend of 30 points per game has moved it from second to seventh.

The recent trend of 30.0 points per game is no better than 30th best in the NFL.

The secondary has been the most unpredictable. However, the absence of defensive back Quentin Lake has had a devastating ripple effect on the entire secondary, particularly in defending the slot. This is a group that seems to struggle now.

And offenses are ready. As soon as the defensive front ramps up pressure on the opposing quarterback, running backs suddenly find daylight for huge gains.

One year ago, it was a brutally stingy defense that carried this team into the playoffs. Now that the LA Rams have locked up a playoff berth, the offense is running at full speed. But the defense struggles to put up even a modest stand.

That's a huge problem. Unfortunately, the time needed to fix this is running out.

As always, thanks for reading.