Film review: Defense steps up to put Rams in control heading into final stretch

Following a week in which the Los Angeles Rams defense gave up 42 points, they followed it up by allowing just two field goals less than a week later. It was one of the more impressive turnarounds of the season, especially going up against a division opponent on the road coming off of their best offensive performance. With the offense struggling, the Rams defense stepped up. The result is that the Rams now lead the NFC West and are front-runners for the first time this season. Let’s get into this week’s film review.

Kobie Turner steps up in a big way

The Rams needed their interior defensive line to make its mark on the game against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Turner’s best games this season have come against teams in the NFC West. He has four games this season with five or more pressures. All four of those games have come against NFC West teams. Turner had seven pressures against the 49ers in Week 3 and added six more in Week 15.

What doesn’t get talked about enough when it comes to Turner’s game is his ability as a run defender. He is smaller, but he wins with speed and leverage. Turner’s strength is also very underrated. Over the last two weeks, the Rams defense has completely shut down opposing running backs. They’ve allowed 2.81 yards per carry to running backs which is fourth-best in the NFL. Turner is a big reason for that as he has the third-most run stops this season according to PFF.

The Rams have a good rotation along their defensive line. Players like Bobby Brown III, Tyler Davis, and Neville Gallimore provide size in the run game while Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner excel as pass rushers. With that said, Turner’s ability as a run defender is very underrated.

Rams defensive backs more physical on the ball

The weather on Thursday Night almost certainly played a role in the lack of success throwing the ball for either team. With that said, when they were challenged, the Rams defensive backs rose to the occasion. The Rams have primarily been a Cover 3 team this season on defense as they’ve called it at a 34.5 percent rate. In comparison, they’ve run Cover 1 or man coverage at a 19.4 percent rate.

Against the 49ers, that shifted dramatically. The Rams were in Cover 1 at a 23.5 percent rate which was their most used coverage. As a result, the Rams played the 49ers wide receivers tight and they were unable to break away from it. Kyle Shanahan noted as much during his halftime interview. That’s been a struggle for the 49ers this season. From the first drive of the game, the Rams played tight with the 49ers receivers.

However, it was more than just being physical at the line of scrimmage. The Rams defensive backs were also physical at the point of attack and on the ball. This was evident on the interception when Quentin Lake knocks Jauan Jennings off of his route and then Darious Williams meets him with contact up the field. Coming into the game, the Rams defense ranked 30th in EPA per pass attempt of 20 or more yards down the field. The 49ers test them in this area multiple times. Brock Purdy was 1-for-8 with an interception on throws of 20+ yards.

The Rams simply outmatched the 49ers wide receivers from a physicality standpoint and that hasn’t always been the case when these two teams meet. On the play below, safety Kam Curl breaks on the ball and comes across George Kittle to get the pass breakup. That was the theme throughout the evening.

Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila showcase physicality

Coming into the season, it was thought that the Rams offensive line would be able to dominate teams in the trenches because of their size. Due to injuries and players like Jonah Jackson not working out, that vision was never realized. With that said, as the offensive line gets more snaps together, some of that physicality is beginning to show up on the field. Kevin Dotson led the way at right guard and Steve Avila has some strong moments as well with Beaux Limmer.

The Rams struggled to throw the ball throughout the game, but were able to find some consistency in the run game. They weren’t getting 12-15 yards gains, but picked up 4-9 yards pretty consistently. The Rams had a rushing success rate of 40.5 percent in Week 15. With that said, the best moment arguably game on a timing concept in the passing game.

The Rams have Puka Nacua coming across the field on a drag route. However, the idea is for Stafford to hit Nacua in-stride and then have blockers in front of him to create space. If Stafford doesn’t get the ball out on time and is a tick slow, there’s likely an illegal man downfield penalty. Stafford executes his part with Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila moving down the field. Dotson acted as a wrecking ball, clearing out defenders with Avila doing his part as well.

Dotson had several strong moments in the run game, displaying his physicality. With that said, it may have been one of Avila’s more physical games this season. That is on display in the play below as Avila hit his initial double team and then clears a path for Kyren Williams. Again, the Rams didn’t create explosives, but they owned the line of scrimmage. That was something that was expected coming into the year. Now that the starting five with Limmer at center are getting more reps together, that vision is coming together in a different way.

Honorable Mention

Early in McVay’s coaching career, the Rams head coach was criticized for being conservative at times. That conservativeness sometimes ended up in games being lost or points being left off of the board. This season, McVay has taken on a different mindset. Earlier in the game, McVay ran it on 3rd-and-5, showing a willingness to go for it on fourth down and showing a trust in the offensive line. Williams picked up the first down.

The Rams have been going for it more on fourth down and aggressively going for the win. That was the case last week against the Buffalo Bills and that carried over into this week against the 49ers.

Instead of running it on third-and-4 to force the 49ers to use a timeout late in the game, McVay opted to put the ball in his quarterback’s hand with the game on the line. The Rams didn’t even show the threat of run. Instead, Cooper Kupp coming in motion caused confusion and left Colby Parkinson uncovered. Stafford recognized that immediately and hit Parkinson for the first down. The end result was taking the clock down to 20 seconds.

That type of play-calling and confidence from McVay then touches other members of his staff and they follow his lead. With the game on the line, the Rams didn’t just drop eight or nine players into coverage and give Brock Purdy eternity to throw. Instead, defensive coordinator Chris Shula blitzed Kam Curl and Christian Rozeboom. Jared Verse and Byron Young won on the edge to force Purdy to step up. Rozeboom was right there to meet Purdy and get the sack.

This isn’t to say that the Rams are playing reckless or with nothing to lose. They have a lot to lose as leaders of the NFC West. With that said, they are playing with intent and that’s what’s important.