Rams D ranking 2021 vs 2020

[FrantikRam]

I think we need to play the run better up front. Packers took advantage through scheme by motioning Reeder out and ran it down our throats. Rams drafted two DL who are good run stuffers. But how long will it take for all those new pieces to gel. And I don't trust Robinson though it sounds like this year is gonna be the good version.

Morris is poised for a huge season if he is up to snuff. Fantastic all around coach but we need elite DC work from him this year. So some unknowns all around.

I do feel like we have a perfect storm coming. Real chance for 3 phases to all be top 10 maybe even top 5 units. So that makes up for my concerns to a great extent.

SJD, Gaines, Brown and Robinson are splitting playing time for two DL positions, and all play the run well.

Drafted Jones who hopefully would fill in for Kiser if (when) he gets hurt.

So we have run stopping depth now.

 

[Flint]

The days of a dominating defense winning you a championship are probably over this is an offensive league and points are what it’s all about. The Rams offense just wasn’t good enough last year and McVay thinks he’s fixed that issue.
The Bucs have a good maybe great defense but the packers had their opportunities and maybe some of their decisions were questionable and the Chiefs just had bad fortune, I would’ve liked to have seen that game with a healthy KC line.
I don’t think anyone was afraid of the Rams offense so it wasn’t a problem running the ball and waiting for the right time to take a shot. Better offense, fewer turnovers= better defense.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

The days of a dominating defense winning you a championship are probably over this is an offensive league and points are what it’s all about. The Rams offense just wasn’t good enough last year and McVay thinks he’s fixed that issue.
The Bucs have a good maybe great defense but the packers had their opportunities and maybe some of their decisions were questionable and the Chiefs just had bad fortune, I would’ve liked to have seen that game with a healthy KC line.
I don’t think anyone was afraid of the Rams offense so it wasn’t a problem running the ball and waiting for the right time to take a shot. Better offense, fewer turnovers= better defense.

Ppl have been saying this for years but great defenses have flashed won and will continue to win. Defense is the reason the Bucs won last year, not offense. They stepped up at the end of last year and was able to harass Rodgers and Mahomes. Brees, Rodgers, and Wilson all have had top offenses multiple years but only have 1 championship each. Having a balanced team will always be the key to success IMO.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

2018 playoff defense was better than 2020 playoff defense. Mainly due to injury to AD, but still.

I agree that they'll be statistically worse for sure - to be better overall we need to stay strong against the run and another pass rusher has to emerge.

I don't know. NO was up and Goff pretty much got us back in the game. Against Seattle, the defense showed up - Williams had a game-changing INT, DK was shut down again, pass rush was in Wilson's face. The Packers game is what you're referring to, but in that game AD was hurt and Troy Hill had his worst game all year.

 

[GoodBadUgly]

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Stafford should have fewer turnovers than Goff did.

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In short, I expect a top 5 D, maybe better.

I don't agree with this. I think Stafford will take more chances and it will result in more TOs. However, I also feel the upside of the extra chances he takes will FAR outweigh a few lost possessions.

 

[Merlin]

It'll be interesting to see where Stafford finishes in INTs. I don't think he's going to need to press, but he is a gunslinger type so it's possible we see an uptick in them.

But all that aside I think he's going to put pressure on defenses for a full 60. TDs will be very high. It won't be once he warms up or figures out what the defense is doing or whatever Goff had going on the last two seasons. I expect it's going to be like '99 and the GSoT where the offense is so explosive that they pressure teams every possession and when a defense does get off the field they're relieved.

Re: our defense I do get tired of hearing (it was a common thing back in '99-'01) that the offense has such a great impact on the defense. If you have a great defense they'll get themselves off the field. They'll get stops over and over and over if necessary in a tight playoff game. So this is why I'm so high on this team in part, because our defense has shown that ability so assuming we see a surge on offense it could end up being one hell of a combination.

Back in '99 we stuffed the run at a ridiculous rate. Average per rush was crazy low. Titans started to roll a bit with the QB scrambling and all in the Super Bowl but the defense was crazy hard to run on. I am hoping we have that again this year. I love a tough defense that you gotta beat in third and long all day.