When you have the #1 defense in the NFL, you will get worse the following year. Unless you're the '85 Bears where arguably their defense was better in 1986... The question for the Rams was always not if they would decline but by how much.
I'm not saying there haven't been some maddening things about Morris and the defense overall- especially earlier in the season. But let's also not pretend like this isn't a good defense overall. It just is. The inconsistencies of the
team- defense included- is what frustrates us all.
As far as actual points allowed by the defense (subtracting pick-6s, etc.),
they were 5th in the league. 10th in yards/play. 8th in redzone scoring (better than in 2020). 5th in opposing passer rating. And they actually had
more takeaways this year than last. Yards/completion allowed was worse- but
still 10th in the league.
Where they mainly fell off vs. 2020 was 3rd down conversions (21st, vs. 4th last year), yards/pass (16th vs. 1st), and opponents' time of possession (25th vs. 5th), which of course relates to 3rd downs.
Football Outsiders and
ESPN's NFL FPI both rate the Rams defense 5th for the season.
