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As pundits wax on philosophically about the Rams one perceived weakness, its 24th ranked run defense, the accepted narrative is this: The Los Angeles Rams are weak against the run.
Well, in this Sean McVay/Wade Phillips era of accountability, one theme runs true: "We've got to get better, and it starts with me." No excuses. You are who your record says you are. Or in this case, Your run defense is as bad as your ranking says it is.
But, in the course of looking a little deeper for answers, is there a hopeful, silver lining in this cloud of defensive dread? No doubt, our proven legend Wade Phillips will make a difference, and in fact has made a positive difference as the season progresses.
The Rams opponents have run the ball 237 times in these first 9 games, for 1,062 yards,(4.53) or 118 yards rushing per game. As stated earlier, this ranks 24th in the league. Hardly a statistic that bodes well for the teams chances, should they make it to the post season.
It seems to be a theme in the first half of the season that the Rams get gashed for one or two early runs, then settle down and shut teams running attacks down in the second half. Those runs count too. Often times a running back will run for 2,1,1,3,1,5, then Boom! break off a 35 yard run. It is the way of the NFL, which is why run discipline and good tackling are so important.
Having said all of that, 3 runs during this season have taken the Rams to 24th in the league in rushing.
Game 2 vs. the Redskins, Chris Thompson 61 yards
Game 4 vs. the Cowboys, Alfred Morris 70 yards
Game 6 vs. the Jaguars, Leonard Fournette 75 yards
Take away those 3 runs, and the Rams look like this:
234 rushes 856 yards, (3.65) or 95.1 yards per game. Ranking 7th against the rush in the NFL!
Below I listed each game, total rushing yards allowed, with the longest run allowed in parenthesis, along with the name of the opposing player who achieved that rush. The three bleeding gashes listed in RED:
TEAM...YARDS..LONG RUN...PLAYER
- Indy.....75...........(24)...........Mack
- Wash..229..........(61)..........Thompson
- S.F.....113...........(20)..........Hyde
- Dal.....189...........(70)..........Morris
- Sea.....62............(9)............Wilson
- Jax.....169...........(75)..........Fournette
- Ariz......25.............(6)..........Peterson
- NYG...111..........(24)..........Darkwa
- Hou.....89...........(21)...........L. Miller
Outside linebackers Robert Quinn and Conner Barwin didn't look very stout against the run either. In recent games, very encouraging signs have been seen from all but perhaps Quinn. Interestingly Quinn has been ill. I love the Mighty One. I just fear he may be suffering from an acute case of Aintgotitnomoreitis, an affliction that strikes every player eventually. Back surgeries, and constantly being held by Left Tackles certainly contributed to his demise.
On the front line, the Rams were missing star defensive lineman Aaron Donald the first game, and he no doubt took a couple more games to be playing up to speed. Rookie Tanzeil Smart, though earning an early starters role at Nose Tackle, has proven to not be strong enough for the role at this point in his career. Tyrunn Walker has taken many of those snaps, as the Rams seems to be stiffening up against the run. Michael Brockers has been the steady rock all year.
So the Three Bleeding Gashes will continue to define this team until they prove otherwise. The trends appear to be encouraging for those of us who follow the men in horns. I can't wait to see how this story ends.
