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Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams in ready position at training camp on July 30, 2019 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – JULY 30: Clay Matthews #52 of the Los Angeles Rams in ready position at training camp on July 30, 2019 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /

24. Los Angeles Rams

2018 Review: For the second season in a row, Aaron Donald earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. He paced the league with 20.5 sacks (half the team’s total of 41) and wreaked havoc. Despite his presence, along with the likes of Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers up front, Wade Phillips’ unit was a mystery. The Rams finished 23rd in the league vs. the run in 2018 just one season after allowing fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL. The club allowed exactly 24 points per game. Not having injured cornerback Aqib Talib early in the season certainly hurt.

2019 Key Additions: Phillips’ unit will be slightly different this season as Suh and safety Lamarcus Joyner joined the Buccaneers and Raiders, respectively. Enter 10-year linebacker Clay Matthews, who should help the front seven in numerous way, and rangy safety Eric Weddle, late of the Baltimore Ravens. General manager Les Snead addressed the secondary three times in the draft, adding safety Taylor Rapp (2-Washington) with the club’s first pick.

Analysis: There’s too much talent here not to expect better results, especially when it comes to stopping the run. The Rams have to deal with a Seattle Seahawks’ team that led the league in rushing in 2018 and a club that scored exactly 31 points in each meeting with the NFC West champions this past season. Phillips’ unit has proven it can get after the quarterback and create turnovers. But this group can be had by the league’s better ground attacks?

Next: No. 23

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