Defense

The Rams’ defense is overseen by one of the best defensive coordinators the league has seen over the last four decades in Wade Phillips. Phillips runs an aggressive brand of the 3-4 defense that has bent but not broken during his current stint. The Rams have been around the middle of the pack in terms of points and yards allowed but have finished third and fifth in takeaways in the last season. They are eighth in 2019.

The Rams have allowed the ninth fewest points and yards in the league so far this season, thanks in large part to their elite run defense. Only four teams have allowed fewer rushing yards than the Rams. They are 14th in passing yards allowed. Phillips is not a big user of the blitz, with the Rams sending extra rushers on only 25% of their plays this season. 20 teams blitz more often than the Rams. The Rams are just outside the top ten with 29 sacks on the year, with Aaron Donald (8.0) Clay Matthews (7.0) and Dante Fowler (6.5) leading the way.

Teams have lined up against the Rams defense in 11 personnel on 60% of their total offensive snaps this season, and to be honest the results haven’t been great. The Rams have held offenses to 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 3.7 yards per rush attempt whenever they’ve seen three wide receivers on the field. 25 of their 29 sacks have come against this grouping.

Teams have enjoyed much more success through the air whenever two tight ends have been on the field, albeit on much smaller sample size. Opposing offenses have completed 40 of 56 pass attempts when in 12 against the Rams, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt and enjoying a 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio.

[vertical-gallery id=37274]