Vulnerable Rams’ defense needs complete turnover to compete with Packers
The Rams are searching for answers. With an injury-depleted lineup, they must reverse their 1-3 start and avoid falling out of the playoff race before it truly begins.
The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Jordan Love are coming to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, and they will face a Rams defense statistically ranked at or near the bottom of the NFL.
The Rams are second to last in total defense, giving up 385.3 yards per game. They are last in rushing defense (165.5 ypg), 20th in pass defense (219.8 ypg) and second to last in scoring defense (28.8 points per game).
“We’ve been stressing it’s about communication, playing together and I know we’ve had a few moving parts, but I don’t think it’s an excuse for anything,” first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “We have to play, and we expect to go play well.”
Coach Sean McVay says the Rams’ failure to produce more touchdowns from the red zone is one reason they are 1-3, and they’ll need many points against Packers.
The Rams have only three takeaways, which is tied for 27th in the league, and seven sacks, which is tied for 26th. Safety John Johnson III’s fourth-quarter interception in the season opener against the Detroit Lions is the Rams’ only interception.
“That’s the age-old question,” Shula said when asked what the Rams could do to create more interceptions. “If I knew it, I would do it right now — but that’s something that you harp on. ... It comes from playing good defense. ... You get [opponents] in more vulnerable situations.”
There have been a few bright spots.
Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse, the No. 19 pick in the draft, was the NFL’s defensive rookie of the month for September. The former Florida State standout had a sack against the Lions but missed numerous opportunities in the last three games to record more.
Rookie lineman Braden Fiske also has created significant pressure.
Against a Packers offense led by Love and running back Josh Jacobs, the Rams must stop the run, create pressure and force low-percentage passes. The Packers rank third in offense (410 yards per game), eighth in passing (235.5 ypg) and second in rushing (174.5 ypg). They are tied for sixth in scoring (26 points per game).
Before the season, Love signed an extension that includes $160.3 million in guarantees, according to overthecap.com. The fourth-year quarterback is nursing a knee injury, so the Rams must “assault” the pocket, lineman Kobie Turner said.
“Hopefully, he’s not as mobile as he can be,” Turner said. “But that’s the danger with him: He has the ability to kill you from the pocket, but he also has the ability to get outside of the pocket and create plays.”
The back end of the defense must avoid the penalties and communication errors that have plagued the Rams.
“Everybody needs to execute their one-eleventh of the defense every single play,” linebacker Troy Reeder said. “It’s got to be the same sense of urgency from the first play to the last.”
The Rams might have cornerback Darious Williams and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison back when they play host to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Interceptions, players say, will come. Improved communication, eye discipline and technique are the keys, veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon said.
“It’s just paying attention to detail,” he said, “and not just like, ‘Oh, I’ll do it different on game day.’”
The secondary could be bolstered by cornerback Darious Williams, who is expected to make his season debut.
Last spring the Rams re-signed Williams, a member of their Super Bowl championship team, after he played two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams, in his seventh season, has 10 interceptions, including four last season.
The Rams envisioned Williams starting opposite Tre’Davious White, a former All-Pro for the Buffalo Bills who was coming off Achilles surgery. But Williams suffered a hamstring injury on the second day of training camp and was placed on injured reserve before the opener, forcing him to sit out four games. Williams practiced this week and McVay pronounced him ready to play Friday.
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Safety Quentin Lake said players are working to take advantage of turnover opportunities. Lake, for example, lamented not making an adjustment that might have resulted in an interception or prevented San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings from making a spectacular catch in the second game.
“You still have a long season to go,” Lake said. “Those opportunities will come, and I think we’re going to make those plays when they do.”
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