Rams defense must do something that few other NFL defenses have done in 2024

THe LA Rams defense is not exactly what I consider a dominating defense. It's a young defense. It's an energetic defense. It's an opportunistic defense. It's even a bit of the bend-but-not-break defense of yesteryear. But in terms of a dominating defense? I think the team will grow into the role.

For a prime example, this team is the 18th-ranked run defense after 11 weeks and 10 games of football in 2024. Nowhere near the best rush defense in the NFL, but not the worst either. And they must take on the top-ranked rushing offense in the league. That's right, the Philadelphia Eagles are numero uno when it comes to handing off the football and letting star running back Saquon Barkley churn out his 100+ yards per game.

And that ability to run has not only allowed Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to play a much better brand of football, it allows the Eagles defense to rip and snort their way to win, after win, after win.

The Philadelphia Eagles are 8-2, and red hot on a six-game winning streak. If you simply take their team and their winning streak at face value, Week 12 is a tough task that is an almost certain loss. But you know we do a little digging here.

NFL rankings are never a perfect statistic. How well a team does is entire dependent upon who they play and how well that team is performing. A 200-yard rushing performance against the worst run defense is nowhere nearly as impressive as a 100-yard rushing performance against the best run defense. A winning streak is far more eye-popping if it comes at the expense of good teams.

Only a handful of defenses have managed to corral Eagles RB Saquon Barkley this season. While that has not always meant victory, nobody who has beaten the Eagles in 2024 has allowed Barkley to run for over 100 yards. So that seems to be the prerequisite.

Don't despair Rams fans, as there may be some reason for hope. You see, the Rams have faced excellent rushing offenses this season. As for the Philadelphia Eagles? They have never faced a Top-10 run defense.

4 reasons why Rams rush defense could surprise in Week 12

Reason I - The Philadelphia Eagles do top the charts in the category of superb rushing offenses. But the Rams' defense has had a taste of great rushing offenses this season. So how did they do? Let's run down the list of great rushing offenses and compare their season averages against their performance against the Rams 'defense:

• Week 1 - Detroit Lions (3rd) - Season average 152.2 YPG - Vs Rams 163 yards (In Overtime)
• Week 2 - Arizona Cardinals (5th) - Season average 149.4 YPG - Vs Rams 231 Yards
• Week 3 - San Francisco 49ers (7th) - Season average 147.8 YPG - Vs Rams 137 yards
• Week 5 - Green Bay Packers (4th) - Season average 149.9 YPG - Vs. Rams 126 yards
• Week 10 - Miami Dolphins (11th)- Season average 122.0 YPG - Vs. Rams 67 yards

As you can see from the data above, the Rams rush defense has been improving rapidly against some of the best rushing offense in the NFL. After allowing teams to run roughshod over them in Weeks 1 and 2, the group has settled into a rather stingy ground defense.

Reason 2 - The other half of the equation is who the Eagles have played.l After all, if their opponents do not play the run very well, their standing in the NFL can be rather inflated. In terms of 2024 opponents, So far, the Eagles have faced:

• Week 1 - Green Bay Packers - 14th-ranked run defense
• Week 2 - Atlanta Falcons - 17th-ranked run defense (L)
• Week 3 - New Orleans Saints - 25th-ranked run defense
• Week 4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 16th-ranked run defense (L)
• Week 6 - Cleveland Browns - 24th-ranked run defense
• Week 7 - New York Giants - 29th-ranked run defense
• Week 8 - Cincinnati Bengals - 21st-ranked run defense
• Week 9- Jacksonville Jaguars - 26th-ranked run defense
• Week 10 - Dallas Cowboys - 31st-ranked run defense
• Week 11 - Washington Commanders - 30th-ranked run defense

As you can see, the Eagles first 10 games have not been very good against the run. In fact, over the Eagles six-game winning streak, the strongest run defense they have faced is that of the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that field no better than the 21st-ranked run defense. The Eagles lost games against the Atlanta Falcons (17-ranked run defense) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16th-ranked run defense).

Just to refresh you memory, the LA Rams field the 18th-ranked run defense.

Nobody is looking for big games from these defenders

The Rams roster is dropping jaws and opening some eyes wide so far in 2024. Not only are 2023 rookies who shocked the league picking right up where they left off, but the rookie class of 2024 has been absolutely superb this season. And the draft class of 2024 has been reinforced with a few undrafted players who seem to have a bright future of professional football. Such as:

Reason 2 - Since the LA Rams have swapped out injured veteran ILB Troy Reeder for undrafted LSU rookie ILB Omar Speights, this defense has taken on an entirely new persona. Speights has seen playing time on the Rams' defense over the past four games and started three of the past four contests. When he started, the LA Rams allowed far fewer rushing yards than expected:

• Week 8 - Minnesota VIkings - Season average 116.4 YPG - 64 yards vs. Rams
• Week 10 - Miami Dolphins - Season average 122.0 YPG - 67 yards vs. Rams
• Week 11 - New England Patriots - Season average 115.3 YPG - 125 yards vs Rams ( * - 27 yards due to the scrambling ability of QB Drake Maye)

It's pretty clear that even after the Patriots game, the Rams' ability to stop the run has been far greater after inserting Omar Speights onto the football field than before. After all, the approach taken by both Reeder and teammate Christian Rozeboom was to settle in 5-6 yards behind the line of scrimmage, follow the play, and let the running back come to them. While that ensured that they ended games with many tackles, they played like big safeties.

Speights takes the fight to the ball carrier. And that meeting in the hole shaves about two or three yards off every run. While that puts him in the face of offensive linemen, he frees up teammates to stuff the run as well.

Reason 1 - The LA Rams' young defense is starting to congeal at the right time. Despite early growing pains and some miscues with the wrong people in the wrong positions, the team has fought through adversity to emerge as a rapidly improving defense. The Rams are not just a bunch of fervent pass rushers. This defense has blocker-gobblers and run stuffers too.

Some under the radar names of players who are very effective against the run include DT Bobby Brown III, DE Jonah Williams, DT Tyler Davis, ILB Jacob Hummel. They join players who are also effective at rushing the passer, like NT Kobie Turner, DT Braden Fiske, OLB Byron Young, Michael Hoecht, and Jared Verse.

There is no single person on the defense that is tasked with stopping the run. They all chip in to do so. The defense started the season dead last at run defense. By mid-season, they have improved to 18th. Perhaps after a solid Week 12, they will climb a bit further in the rankings.

As always, thanks for reading

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