The Los Angeles Rams are officially the last undefeated team standing. They are 6-0 for the first time since 2001. The “Greatest Show on Turf” days. However, they have had setbacks getting to this point.
This Rams team is undoubtedly the team with the most talent when healthy. Unfortunately, they have not been at full health for weeks. They have injuries across the board to notable producers.
Players of note include Aqib Talib, Pharoh Cooper, Dominique Easely, Cooper Kupp, Greg Zuerlein, Michael Brockers and Rodger Saffold. They have eight players currently on injured reserve.
As the injuries have piled up, so have the number of close games they are in. Three of their games have come down to one possession since losing Talib and Easley. Their defense has been the main victim of all their injuries.
Eight of their 13 players with listed injuries are defensive players. Their defense has been more bend and not break in recent weeks following their injuries.
They were giving up an average of 12 points prior to their onslaught of injuries per Pro Football Reference. The defense is allowing an average of 27.3 points per game in the last three weeks. It is important to note that they have been facing better teams which also contributes to this.
However, it is about how these teams are scoring and racking up yards that lends fault to rest on their injuries. The Rams have really felt the blow of losing Talib in their past few matchups.
Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs both went for over 100 yards in the Minnesota Vikings game. Then Emmanuel Sanders goes for 115 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
They have been playing well considering all the injuries but the offense has been doing their part to help the defense. Their offense is currently first in total yards and second in scoring.
However, even their offense is taking its fair share of hits. Kupp will most likely miss this weeks game at San Francisco with his MCL sprain. It does speak to this team’s resilience and ability to get the job done despite all the moving parts.
Head coach Sean McVay said it best during his media availability today:
“Can’t say enough about you know, how resilient and what a great job guys have done finishing out games. Finding a way to get wins.”
This team finds ways to win even when they are missing key pieces. It is the reason why they are the best team in football currently.
Brendan Abban is the owner/creator of brendanabban.com and hosts the KBR Sports podcast. Follow him on Twitter @AbbanBrendan or email him via [email protected].
