Rams Defense Plays Pivotal Role in Week 7 Win
While the old mantra says, “offense wins games, defense wins championships,” the Los Angeles Rams defense displayed their game-winning ability on Sunday. The secondary, in particular, played lights out in the Rams’ 20-15 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Rams defense held Vegas to five field goals and scored a fumble recovery touchdown. Unlike previous games, the big defensive plays came from unlikely sources.
Raiders QB Woes
Any article about the Rams defense this week should be prefaced with Vegas’ QB struggles. Starter Aidan O’Connell left early with a thumb injury, leaving Gardner Minshew to step back again under center.
Minshew Mania proved more disastrous than rewarding. Minshew threw three picks, took two sacks, and gave a fumble, resulting in a Rams defensive touchdown.
The Secondary Makes Plays
The Rams secondary has had a tricky year. The days of Jalen Ramsey locking up opposing receivers are long gone. However, the numbers are not all bad.
While the pass rush is the engine of the defense, the secondary is underrated. The Rams defense ranks 11th in passing yards allowed, better than more “talented” units like the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons. However, the ability to stop explosive plays has been a bit of an issue. LA has allowed 18 plays of more than 20 yards, around league average, and four plays of more than 40.
Sunday proved the ability to make explosive plays goes both ways.
The secondary hauled in three interceptions, with rookie safety Jaylen McCollough picking off two, including the game-sealing pick with 1:28 left in the fourth quarter. The former Tennessee man leads the team with three interceptions, the first rookie UDFA in a decade to record two or more picks in a single game. It’s not a great sign that the team only had two interceptions prior to this game, but the improvement is positive.
Head coach Sean McVay said as much on the secondary.
“I think we’re starting to find our identity, putting guys in the right spots, being able to take advantage of their skill sets,” McVay said. “We’ve forced some turnovers, been able to really apply a lot of pressure. I’m really pleased with the trajectory of where our defense is going right now.”
Cobie Durant’s Forced Fumble
Besides McCollough, cornerback Cobie Durant also made a huge play on Sunday.
With just over a minute left in the second quarter, Durant found a gap in a six-man blitz to rush Minshew and strip the football. In a great show of awareness, safety Kamren Curl picked the ball up in stride and ran it into the end zone.
The fumble recovery touchdown extended the Rams lead to 11 and sealed the deal on the contest. It gives a small glimpse into the potential of defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s defense.
The Rams performance on defense and by the secondary was the best performance by that unit so far. With the win buying more time for the offense to improve and giving more time for wide receiver Cooper Kupp’s return, the Rams season is not dead yet.
Main Image: Alex Gallardo – USA Today Sports
