Coming out of their Week 9 bye, the Los Angeles Rams knew they would be tested immediately. Three of their first opponents were teams with records above .500, featuring not only great quarterbacks, but also dynamic receiving groups.
The Seahawks, Buccaneers and Cardinals all have true No. 1 receivers on their rosters, and in the case of the Seahawks and Bucs, they have multiple players who would be considered No. 1 wideouts on most teams.
DK Metcalf.
Tyler Lockett.
Antonio Brown.
Mike Evans.
Chris Godwin.
DeAndre Hopkins.
All six of those receivers have one thing in common: Each one was kept in check by the Rams in the last four weeks. Not a single one of those players eclipsed 70 yards receiving. Only one of them (Lockett) averaged more than 10 yards per catch. Combined, they scored three touchdowns and averaged less than six catches each against L.A.
The only receiver to have success against the Rams since their Week 9 bye was Deebo Samuel, who caught 11 passes for 133 yards in San Francisco’s Week 12 win – most of which came after the catch.
What the Rams did to this group of six receivers, however, was remarkable. Most importantly, L.A. won all three games against their respective teams. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that none of them had a significant impact on the game.
Take a look at their stat lines from Weeks 10, 11 and 13.
| Targets | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | |
| Tyler Lockett | 9 | 5 | 66 | 0 |
| DK Metcalf | 4 | 2 | 28 | 0 |
| Antonio Brown | 13 | 8 | 57 | 0 |
| Chris Godwin | 10 | 7 | 53 | 1 |
| Mike Evans | 9 | 5 | 49 | 1 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 13 | 8 | 52 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 58 | 35 | 305 | 3 |
Jalen Ramsey played a big part in shutting down Metcalf, Evans and Hopkins, who he was essentially asked to shadow. None of them did much of anything, with Evans’ touchdown coming on the opposite side of the field as Ramsey, and Hopkins’ coming on a pick play where Ramsey was essentially blocked by a tight end.
But Ramsey isn’t the only one who deserves credit for this stellar performance. Darious Williams and Troy Hill also stepped up in a big way against the No. 2 and 3 receivers. The only time before Week 10 that Metcalf was shut down – Week 7 against the Cardinals – Lockett went off for 15 catches, 200 yards and three touchdowns. Against the Rams, when Metcalf was also neutralized, Lockett was held to five catches for 66 yards.
Ramsey did a good job on Evans, but Williams and Hill held their own against Brown and Godwin, both of whom are Pro Bowl receivers. They limited big plays and were there to wrap up after the catch.
Against the Cardinals, the jobs of Williams and Hill were much easier. Larry Fitzgerald wasn’t available, leaving Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella as the second and third options. They combined for three catches and 9 yards on eight targets. Again, non-factors.
This secondary was tested by a group of extremely talented receivers and passed with flying colors. In those three games, the Rams didn’t allow more than 220 yards to a single quarterback – and those quarterbacks are no slouches, either: Russell Wilson, Tom Brady and Kyler Murray.
Yes, a good pass rush helps, but it’s a testament to the talent in L.A.’s defensive backfield. If it’s not already considered the best in the NFL, it’s deserving of that title.