This LA Rams defense is doing something that hasn't happened in a long time

Undrafted rookie DB Jaylen McCollough has done it. Veteran DB Kamren Curl has done it. And even rookie Kamren Kinchens has done it. Even second-year outside linebacker Byron Young has done it. So what the heck am I talking about? After eight games, this LA Rams defense has placed 22 points up on the scoreboard.

Since the Week 6 BYE, the Rams defense has not failed to add points up on the scoreboard. You can scoff at the Rams defense over some things, but be sure to give this group credit too. Without those defensive points, the team doesn't have a three-game winning streak. In fact, if you consider the Packers game in Week 5, the Rams defense has a four-game scoring streak

The scoring spree started in Week 5 when undrafted rookie DB Jaylen McCollough returned an interception for a touchdown. Unfortunately, Karty did not make the extra point.

Rams Defense - 6 points

As the Rams emerged from their BYE week, the team had a fight on their hands hosting the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing three interceptions in the game, it was Cobie Durant's strip sack that caused a fumble, and DB Kamren Curl picked up the pigskin and hoofed it to the endzone.

Rams Defense - 13 points

The LA Rams defense was feisty and swarming in the Week 8 Thursday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings. While the defense did not score any touchdowns in this one, the team did end up putting up a two-point safety against the Vikings when OLB Byron Young sacked QB Sam Darnold in the Vikings end zone with time running out.

Rams Defense - 15 points

The opportunistic band of rabble rousers struck again the following week as the team travelled to Seattle, Washington to face the Seahawks. This time, rookie DB Kamren Kinchens was the hero, picking off a Geno Smith pass three yards deep in his own end zone, and racing for a 103-yard touchdown. Not only was it Kinchens first NFL interception, but it was a highlight reel pick-six to boot. And yes, this time Joshua Karty kicked the extra point.

Rams Defense - 22 points

If you consider players who step foot into the end zone or kick field goals, this Rams defense (as a group) has outscored all but:

• RB Kyren Williams - 8 rushing TDs | 2 receiving TDs - 60 points
• K Joshua Karty - 9 FGs | 13 Xpts - 40 points
• WR Demarcus Robinson - 4 receiving TDs - 24 points
• Rams Defense - 22 points

The NFL record for most touchdowns scored by a defense in a single season was set in 1961 by the San Diego Chargers with 9 interception touchdowns. While the Rams only have two interceptions for TDs, the Rams' defense is a scoring phenomenon, nonetheless.

22 points. In eight games, the team has scored a total of 170 points. That means that this offense is averaging 18.5 points per game (26th-ranked), and gets a boost of 2.8 additional points per game from the defense.

In 2024, the Rams offense continues to struggle to score points. Thankfully, the defense is adept at doing so. And despite not getting credit, DC Chris Shula is finding unorthodox ways to help his team win.

Thanks for reading.

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