Rookie QB Tyler Shough faces the NFL's most fearsome defense in his debut. Can he survive the relentless Rams' pass rush?
The New Orleans Saints head to Los Angeles for a Week 9 matchup with the 5-2 Los Angeles Rams. Since Sean McVay was named head coach in 2017, the Rams have been one of the most successful organizations in the NFL. McVay’s hiring was a bold and attention-grabbing move at the time, as he was the youngest head coach in NFL history at just 30 years old. It has proven worthy of the risk.
Los Angeles has kept a great product on the field by utilizing their draft picks better than any other team. They did not draft in the first round from 2017 to 2023, instead opting to use some of those picks in trades for Jalen Ramsey and Matthew Stafford. Jalen Ramsey was named to the Pro Bowl team in each of his three seasons with the Rams, including earning First-Team All-Pro honors twice. In Stafford’s first year in Los Angeles, the Rams won Super Bowl LVI.
The Rams have excelled in balancing their roster with veterans and young players. Key veterans the Rams have brought in in recent years include Davante Adams, Poona Ford, Bobby Wagner, Darious Williams, and of course, Matthew Stafford. The Rams have also found great value in the middle to late rounds of the Draft. Here are some of the most notable:
- Puka Nacua - 2023 R5 P177
- Kobie Turner - 2023 R3 P89
- Kyren Williams - 2022 R5 P164
- Byron Young - 2023 R3 P77
- Quentin Lake - 2022 R6 P211
The Los Angeles Rams are the most well-rounded team in football. On offense, they have a veteran quarterback with elite decision-making, the best receiving corps in the NFL, a top-10 offensive line, and a reliable, versatile running back capable of carrying a large workload. They rank No. 6 in the NFL in yards per game and No. 1 in PFF Offense Grade.
Their defense is made up of young, emerging stars with a mix of seasoned veterans. They put immense pressure on the quarterback and eliminate all rushing lanes. Here is where they rank among the 32 NFL teams in several key defensive stats:
- Points allowed - 2nd
- Yards allowed - 7th
- Sacks - 2nd
- Forced fumbles - 1st
Here is how the defense stacks up against the rest of the league in Pro Football Focus’ grading system:
- Overall - 4th
- Run Defense - 2nd
- Coverage - 3rd
- Pass Rush - 7th
- Tackling - 2nd
The Rams provide a brutal matchup for any quarterback. However, this may be the toughest matchup for a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.
The most difficult adjustment for a quarterback going from college to the NFL is the increased speed of the game. Tyler Shough will have his work cut out for him against the Rams. Jared Verse is one of the quickest and most explosive edge rushers in the league, Kobie Turner is No. 1 in the NFL in pressure rate when double-teamed, and Byron Young has the second most sacks in the NFL with nine, just one behind Myles Garrett and Brian Burns, who have played an extra game.
Los Angeles’ defense recorded seven sacks in its last game. The Rams are coming off a bye week, rested and ready to send a message to the rest of the league.
I hope Tyler Shough is prepared for his “Welcome to the NFL moment”. With the talent and potential this Los Angeles Rams team possesses, Shough may receive a welcome party from the entirety of the Rams’ defensive line.