{"id":134029,"date":"2022-06-27T18:02:09","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T22:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=134029"},"modified":"2022-09-22T09:50:58","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T13:50:58","slug":"atlanta-falcons-opponent-analysis-los-angeles-rams-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/06\/27\/atlanta-falcons-opponent-analysis-los-angeles-rams-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Falcons Opponent Analysis: Los Angeles Rams Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Training camp is just on the horizon, but for now, it is still the \u201cdead period\u201d for the NFL. So what is there to do for fans while rosters are still forming? Continue the analysis of another opponent of the 2022 <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta Falcons<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, of course! We continue this series with the defense of the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Los Angeles Rams<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. For this exercise, we will analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and points of attack of the Atlanta Falcons offense. Let\u2019s get into it!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/06\/24\/atlanta-falcons-players-who-must-improve-in-2022\/\" target=\"_self\">Falcons Players That Must Improve<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta Falcons Opponent Analysis: Los Angeles Rams Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Strengths<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We start this opponent analysis for the Atlanta Falcons with the main strengths of this Rams defense.<\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Numerous Elite Playmakers<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Los Angeles Rams are one of few NFL teams with an elite player on each level of the defense. Starting with the secondary, headlined by\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RamsJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jalen Ramsey<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Widely regarded as the best corner in the NFL right now, Ramsey\u2019s ability to play man-to-man and blanket zone coverage allows the defense to be more aggressive in their disguises. The Rams come out in a quarters-shell pre-snap and roll their safeties down to help support the run as they see fit. Ramsey also has a knack for making big plays in run support and the quick passing game. This versatility allows <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/MorrRa0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Raheem Morris<\/a> to use Ramsey as a slot defender when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">this was a hell of a play by Jalen Ramsey. Takes on a TE&#39;s block in space and not only wins and makes the tackle, but strips the ball as well. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yOBWXR92U4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yOBWXR92U4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Nate_Tice\/status\/1456319219784564737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 4, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Speaking of run support, the linebacker room has a new familiar face for the Rams brass. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WagnBo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Wagner<\/a> has been one of the best instinctual linebackers the game has seen. Whether reading route concepts or reading blocking patterns, the linebacker has a knack for staying in the right place at the right time. Not saying that they didn\u2019t have good linebacker play before, but with the losses of Kenny Young and Troy Reeder, they had to upgrade at the position. And even with Wagner aging a bit, he is still an elite-level defender.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">And, of course, there is the number one player to play right now on the defensive line: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DonaAa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Donald<\/a>. His ability to command not just double- but sometimes triple-teams opens up opportunities for everyone in the front seven. His ability to beat tackles and guards with speed and power makes him impossible to block one-on-one. With 12.5 sacks and 41 pressures, Donald is, by far, the most disruptive defensive tackle in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">When you add Bobby Wagner to a defense that already has Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BhYB2ez1zS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/BhYB2ez1zS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/camdasilva\/status\/1509617834837823488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 31, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rams Front Five Alignment<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Raheem Morris and the Rams attack offenses with a linebacker rolled down to the line of scrimmage almost as a fifth lineman. Of course, this is dependent on the offense\u2019s formation. However, most offenses use either one- or two-tight end sets to add another lineman on the offensive line or cause matchup problems for the defense. The Rams use this fifth player on the line of scrimmage to counter these formations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The way that the Rams use this \u201cfifth lineman\u201d is integral to how their defense causes matchup problems in their own right. With this extra person on the line, it adds run support to the outside and helps funnel ball carriers back inside. The three defensive linemen, Donald, A\u2019Shawn Robinson, and Greg Gaines, have 70+ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pff.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PFF<\/a> grades when defending the run in 2021. This consistency allows guys like Leonard Floyd to focus on pressuring the quarterback and those in the secondary to focus on pass coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This alignment also allows the defense to disguise stunts and blitzes along the line of scrimmage. Whether dropping Floyd or Justin Hollins, who will replace Von Miller, they can hide their intentions on how they will attack the passer up until the snap.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Liked this 3rd down disguise from the Rams defense. Show single high before rotating back to Cover 2 with Weddle as the Tampa player.<\/p>\n<p>49ers are running a double Under concept to create a hi-lo. And the Rams do a great job of pushing everything and Reeder almost gets the INT. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UMNBreXeri\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UMNBreXeri<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Nate_Tice\/status\/1488921817230176257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 2, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Weaknesses<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As we continue this opponent analysis for the Atlanta Falcons, we will discuss the key weaknesses of the Rams.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Multiple Key Departures<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">After studying this defense, something became clear: There aren\u2019t many weaknesses when discussing this LA Rams defense. However, one potential weakness is the departures that left this past off-season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The most notable exit is that of Von Miller headed off to the Buffalo Bills. While Miller was a mid-season pickup, his production in the final eight games (including playoffs) was integral to LA\u2019s super bowl run. His ability to rush the passer and keep quarterbacks like Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, and Tom Brady uneasy, allowing others on this defense to make plays behind him. Justin Hollins is a good enough replacement on the other side of Leonard Floyd and should allow Floyd to continue to be effective. But it will not be the same as when Von Miller was there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The exits of Sebastian Joseph-Day (<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/chargers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Los Angeles Chargers<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">) and Kenny Young (<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/raiders\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Las Vegas Raiders<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">) may not seem as big because both seasons were cut short due to injury. However, Joseph-Day has been a reliable nose tackle that can play both A-gaps well. He pushed centers and guards into the backfield, causing chaos for ball carriers. While Young played the inside linebacker position. His core responsibility was second-level coverage for the defense. With him hurt, Ernest Jones and Troy Reeder shared those duties, but neither was quite as effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sebastian Joseph-Day is such a useful player for how the Rams like to play up front. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TSeuC6PkOM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/TSeuC6PkOM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Robert Mays (@robertmays) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/robertmays\/status\/1438234944199872515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One last spotlight is the going away of cornerback Darious Williams. He goes back to his hometown to play for the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/jaguars\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jacksonville Jaguars<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. He was a good complement on the other side of Ramsey and helped play the outside when Ramsey was in the slot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Points of Attack<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The final section of this opponent analysis for the Atlanta Falcons are potential points of attack for the Falcons and Arthur Smith to exploit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Decisiveness from the QB Position<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One thing that stood out when studying teams that had success against this Rams defense was the quarterback play. One game that we will highlight is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/10\/04\/arizona-cardinals-deliver-statement-victory-against-los-angeles-rams\/\" target=\"_self\">first matchup<\/a> between the\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cardinals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Arizona Cardinals<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and the Los Angeles Rams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MurrKy00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kyler Murray<\/a> and the Cardinals spread the Rams defense out with mostly empty and single-back sets. Kingsbury trusted his offensive line to hold long enough to keep Murray upright and throw in rhythm. The first drive showed Arizona that they would not be able to have those long-developing plays, at least not to start. Instead, Murray proceeded to carve up the underneath zones left by the LA defense due to their base quarters shell. Murray and the Cardinals took what the defense gave them to the tune of 20\/24 for passes &gt;10 yards for 170 yards. This attack near the line of scrimmage opened up chances later in the game to attack vertically. And Murray delivered. He went 4\/6 for 98 yards and two touchdowns on passes beyond 10+ yards.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Happy Victory Monday!!!!<\/p>\n<p>Here&#39;s a 41-yard touchdown catch by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AZCardinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AZCardinals<\/a> A.J. Green in last night&#39;s 37-20 thrashing of the Los Angeles Rams. Beautiful pass by Kyler Murray!<\/p>\n<p>No.1 in the NFC West and No. 1 in the NFC Conference!!!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RedSea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RedSea<\/a> 4-0 BABY!!!!!! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/i2kle5hv4O\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/i2kle5hv4O<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Andy Kwong \ud83c\udfc8 (@akwong31) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/akwong31\/status\/1445025917882011648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 4, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Couple that with a running game that had Chase Edmonds and James Conner go 30 carries for 170 yards and Murray\u2019s escapability drawing in one other defender as a spy. Arizona was able to keep the defense on the field to the tune of the Cardinals possessing the ball for 10+ more minutes than the Rams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This decisiveness will be difficult for the Falcons to emulate as they have two new quarterbacks under center going into the 2022 season. Asking them to be as decisive in their decision-making after only a couple of months in the playbook is almost unfair. But it is necessary if they want to win this game.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Avoid Unforced Errors<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One of the most cliche examples of \u201ccoach-speak\u201d in football, but it rings especially true when playing this Rams team. The Falcons will have to try their best to play \u201cmistake-free football\u201d if they want to win this game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What killed the Cardinals in their <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/01\/18\/arizona-cardinals-season-a-failure-after-first-round-playoff-exit\/\" target=\"_self\">wild-card rematch<\/a> against the Rams were unforced errors early on in the game. Kyler Murray forced a ball downfield on third down when he could have hit the first-down dig coming across the formation. Murray then missed back-to-back balls on the next drive. From there, Arizona was playing catch-up against this explosive LA defense. The front seven were then able to peel their ears back and come after Murray, leading to two early interceptions, including one pick-six.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">That was not the throw, Kyler Murray. <\/p>\n<p>Rams defense adds a pick-six to their already dominant night. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RamsHouse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RamsHouse<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ARIvsLAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#ARIvsLAR<\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xKu19fxMus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xKu19fxMus<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Weesesports\/status\/1483266226998575104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The defense\u2019s best game, according to Pro Football Reference, was their game against the<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/giants\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0New York Giants<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The defensive line terrorized the Giants and their porous offensive line to stifle the run game and make Daniel Jones&#8217; life a living hell. Before the reserves came in mid-way through the third quarter, Jones had 137 yards and three interceptions. His inconsistency with ball placement and processing the defense led to a bad throw % of 25% (Including his garbage time throws against the reserves).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not to say that Atlanta has to play a perfect game to succeed against this defense. But to re-iterate, the Falcons can not afford to shoot themselves in the foot. Los Angeles was one of the most opportunistic defenses last season. They were 10th in turnovers caused. And with their talent, that is not an aspect that is likely to change anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: <a id=\"5tvR5tTHSspxObj8r_DhDw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1241179687\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'5tvR5tTHSspxObj8r_DhDw',sig:'sE7zStR7t9_gZ77SA3wAgbsMU3NXxZo8lU2r7Ay3ZB0=',w:'594px',h:'427px',items:'1241179687',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Training camp is just on the horizon, but for now, it is still the \u201cdead period\u201d for the NFL. So what is there to do for fans while rosters are still forming? Continue the analysis of another opponent of the 2022 Atlanta Falcons, of course! We continue this series with the defense of the\u00a0Los Angeles [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3893,"featured_media":134034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,54],"tags":[450,115,1051,730,4674,9277],"class_list":["post-134029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-falcons","category-editorials","tag-aaron-donald","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-bobby-wagner","tag-jalen-ramsey","tag-kyler-murray","tag-raheem-morris"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3893"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/134034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}