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Undermanned Rams defense may have turned the corner against the Raiders

Missing five starters, this patchwork defense answered the bell.
ByBret Stuter
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Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Shaun Dolac. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Before Week 7, the Los Angeles Rams struggled to stop the run. But against the Raiders, the defense was forced to start Tyler Davis at nose tackle, Shaun Dolac at linebacker, and Josh Wallace at cornerback. Believe it or not, this patchwork assemblage played the run well.

Of course, it would be naive to ignore the dynamics in this one. LA held a commanding 28-6 lead by halftime. And with the score so one-sided, the Raiders were forced to abandon the run and come out passing in the second half. And at one point, they pulled to within 10 points.

But after watching in horror as the defense failed to stop the stampeding Buffalo Bills, it was a nice surprise to see the Rams get a bit stingy against the run. They held the Raiders to under three yards per carry, despite missing five defensive starters in Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Trent McDuffie, and Nate Landman.

And yet, they held.

Rams defense came to play in a must-win game

It was not an easy feat. LA held the Raiders to just 3-of-14 on third down, and 2-of-5 on fourth down. Las Vegas benefited from two Rams turnovers, scoring one of two touchdowns after intercepting a deflection off Colby Parkinson's normally sure hands.

For a depleted defense, though, this game could serve as the turning point. The Raiders are not world beaters on offense, but they rank 13th in yards and sixth in points. While LA allowed the yards, it held the Raiders to 21 points, six points below their season average coming in. Much of that sturdy performance came from a tough run defense.

The Rams leaned on their most reliable veterans in the win. But other players, many of whom are not regular starters, showed up too.

10 defenders made at least one tackle along the defensive front. The Rams rotated players rapidly in and out of the game at intentional rest intervals, and the difference showed.

Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has not shown command of his defense in every game, but he dialed up a doozy in Week 7. Perhaps pulling out the win will help this team turn the corner.

As always, thanks for reading.

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