If there is one thing the Los Angeles Rams have signaled this offseason, it’s that their offense will be good. Well, it has to be good. They are spending a lot on that side of the ball. In the salary cap world the NFL lives in, it means they haven’t invested much cap capital on the other side of the ball. The Rams have the cheapest defense in the league, per Over the Cap.
No matter how you want to slice it, the defense will be asked to do a lot, with a little. Whether that is the inexperienced front or the cobbled-together back end, this squad will have to rise to the occasion under first-time NFL defensive coordinator, Chris Shula. Their chances of winning the NFC West depend on it.
At least according to Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report. Here is what he wrote in a recent article on the Top Storylines That Will Determine Winner Of Each NFL Division for 2024 Season.
The Los Angeles Rams Winning the NFC West Depends On The Defense
“Even in a quarterback-centric league, Aaron Donald‘s retirement will have an impact on the NFC West division race.
NFC West quarterbacks Brock Purdy, Geno Smith, and Kyler Murray should all feel relieved that they no longer have to worry about the three-time Defensive Player of the Year generating pressure up the middle. Murray confirmed as much as a few months ago.
However, the Rams’ up-and-coming wave of defenders could still wreak havoc collectively.
As rookies last year, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and edge-rusher Byron Young recorded 17 sacks and 50 pressures combined.
In the first round of this year’s draft, Los Angeles selected edge-rusher Jared Verse, who logged 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks during his two seasons at Florida State.
In 2023, the Rams fielded a top-eight scoring offense that was capable of keeping pace with the San Francisco 49ers. If their front seven develops into a formidable group sans Donald, the Rams could edge past the reigning NFC champions for the NFC West division title.”
