The Rams' defense went through something of a rebuild prior to the 2024 season following All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald' retirement. Los Angeles started six players in their first or second NFL season, including rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse and defensive end Braden Fiske on a revamped defensive line.
Los Angeles' pass rush success, especially in the playoffs, caused mayhem for opposing quarterbacks. They were one of the most effective blitzing teams in the league and the unit featured some outstanding individual seasons.
Here are five interesting stats from the Rams' 2024 defense:
Verse's 77 quarterback pressures were the second-most for a rookie since 2006, when Pro Football Focus (PFF) started tracking that data
In the Rams' first season without Donald, L.A. needed a physical presence on the defensive line, and they got one in Verse, who had a historic rookie year. His 77 pressures in his rookie regular season are second only to Nick Bosa in 2019 (80).
Verse ranked fifth among qualified players in pass rush win rate (19.7%) and pressure rate (16.3%). Among rookies, Verse tied for first in defensive stops (35), and claimed sole possession of first in hurries (56) and quarterback hits (15). He's also a finalist for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, along with Fiske.
The Rams produced the two most impactful defensive plays of the 2024 season in terms of win probability added, via nflverse data
Both interceptions came in the fourth quarter and in the red zone. The most impactful play was cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon's last-minute interception of Kyler Murray in Week 17, which added 55.1% to L.A.'s win probability, icing the game and a playoff spot.
The second-most impactful play was rookie safety Kamren Kinchens' pick-six that went for 103 yards to give L.A. the lead against Seattle in Week 9. His first career interception added 52.4% to the Rams' win probability and was one of two picks for Kinchens on the day.
The Rams' 20% sack rate and 48.8% pressure rate were both the best of the postseason (pre-Super Bowl) and raised both season-long rates to fourth in the NFL, respectively, via Next Gen Stats
The Rams' pass rush showed glimpses of excellence throughout the regular season. But in the postseason, they displayed the true potential of this young defensive line.
Against Minnesota in the Wild Card Round, the Rams tied an NFL postseason record with nine sacks. Then, they followed that performance up with seven sacks against the Eagles in a Divisional Round loss. The front caused chaos throughout and gave L.A. a chance to beat Philadelphia in the final minute, but the offense came up just short.
The Rams were one of the most effective blitzing teams in the league, ranking first in pressure rate on blitzes (49.1%) and fifth in yards per play allowed (5.5) in the regular and postseason, via Next Gen Stats
The Rams only blitzed the quarterback 23.6% of the time throughout the 2024 regular and postseason, ranking 23rd in the NFL. But when they did, it was extremely effective.
This was especially evident in the Rams' Wild Card game against Minnesota, when defensive coordinator Chris Shula schemed up a slew of exotic blitzes, yielding just 3.3 yards per play and a 52% pressure rate. L.A. ranked 11th in sack rate (9.2%) on blitzes to go along with their elite pressure rate.
Safety Quentin Lake was one of three defensive players to play every snap this seasonup until Week 18, when he rested prior to the playoffs
Lake was one of the most dependable defensive players in the NFL this season and, literally, did not leave the field. The third-year defensive back out of UCLA switched between the "star" and traditional safety role depending on the team's needs. He was voted a team captain by his teammates, and that adaptability was a reflection of the trust he received from peers and coaches.
Lake earned career-highs in tackles (111), sacks (2.0) and snaps (1,070), the 24th-most of any defensive player. He also played 100% of snaps in the Rams' two postseason games.
