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zn
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AlbaNY_Ram
I also expect a lot out of the Rams defense in 2018 ... but I wonder why you credit the Rams with an 'already great' defense in light of the following:
In 2017 the Rams defense was ...
- 12th in points allowed at 20.6 points/game. (Vikings were #1 at 15.8)
- 19th in yards allowed at 339.5 yards/game. (Vikings were again #1 at 275.9)
- 18th in yards per play at 5.3. (Vikings were again #1 (tied with Jaguars) at 4.6)
- 11th in first downs allowed a game at 18.8. (Jaguars were #1 at 16.1)
- 14th in 3rd down conversions allowed at 38%. (Vikings again #1 at 25%)
- 25th in 4th down conversions allowed at 60%. (Eagles were #1 at 22%)
- 30th in rushing yards per attempt at 4.7. (Broncos were #1 at 3.3 ypa)
[
www.nfl.com]
I think the general idea that the defense has some improving to do is fair.
But a couple of those stats, I wonder about.
I will just look at one. Points allowed. For arguments sake let's say we don't count the final SF game because it's not a real indicator.
I also notice that they change after game 4. After game 4, Donald was fully back from time off, they started Johnson over Alexander, and moved Brockers to DE.
Last year they were listed as 12th in points allowed at 20.9. That's good but it might be misleading.
In the first 4 games they allowed 105 points. That's 26.25 a game which taken in itself would have ranked 31st.
In the next 11 games, not counting SF, they allowed 190 points. That's 17.3 a game (rounded up) which taken in itself would have been ranked 2nd.
If that holds it means they're a lot closer to being a legit top 10 defense than we might initially think.
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