Jared Verse showed that he is a star player in Rams wild card win over the Vikings
The Los Angeles Rams shocked those in the NFL world by beating the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card round, 27-9. It wasn’t necessarily beating the Vikings that was shocking, but the fashion in which they did so. The Rams win was dominant from start to finish with complete performances from both the offense and defense. Monday Night’s win may have been the most complete win for the Rams this season. Here is this week’s stock up, stock down.
Stock Up: EDGE Jared Verse
The Rams rookie edge rusher had arguably the best game of his career. Verse finished with seven pressures and had a scoop and score in the biggest game of the season. When Aaron Donald retired in the offseason, the Rams needed a player to step up. The defense needed a player they could count on in the big moments. That player has been Verse for the Rams this season.
Towards the back-half of the year, Verse slowed down. However, against the Vikings, Verse was arguably one of the best players on the Rams defense. Verse is quickly becoming an impact player that the Rams can count on to make big play in a similar way as Aaron Donald. While only a rookie, Verse took over the game along the defensive line and was a big reason why Sam Darnold never got comfortable.
Stock Down: Media narratives
Coming into the game there was a lot of talk how the Rams weren’t a good team. They ranked just 17th in team DVOA. The Rams finished the season 10-7 and won the NFC West in a weaker year. Some said that the Rams defense wasn’t good and lacked talent. That lack of talent would make it very difficult to stop the Vikings offense.
However, when healthy, the Rams are one of four teams to beat the Bills and were one of two teams to beat the Vikings. While the defense started slow, following the bye week in Week 7, they were a top-10 unit. Monday night showed why things like playoff experience and coaching matters. The Rams were built for the playoffs and have the mentality and confidence that they can beat anybody. Traveling to Philadelphia on Sunday, there likely won’t be many that have the Rams winning. However, as they showed on Monday Night, they are a team that can’t be counted out.
Stock Up: Rams defense
Not many took the Rams defense seriously heading into the game against the Vikings. However, with the starting defense playing 60 minutes, they haven’t allowed more than 10 points since giving up 42 against the Bills. With their nine sack display against the Vikings and holding that offense to nine points, the Rams defense has put the NFL on notice. This is a group that has played at a high level over the last month and don’t seem to be afraid of any offense.
If this Rams defense gets help, they are a unit that can do enough to potentially make a deep playoff run. The defense will face one of their bigger tests of the season next week. They’ll face the Eagles for a second time after giving up 255 yards to Saquon Barkley in the first meeting. Given how the defense has played recently, it’s hard to see a repeat performance.
Stock Down: Run game
Moving forward, the Rams need to find answers in the run game. They got a few big runs from Kyren Williams on Monday night, but for the most part, the Vikings contained Kyren Williams. Needing to bleed the clock in the second half, the Rams were unable to win in the trenches and open up run lanes for Williams.
Over the past month of the season, the run game has been a way for the Rams offense to stay on track and ahead of the sticks. They had just a 38.1 percent rushing success rate on offense which included a 31.3 percent success rate in the second half. Monday night was more about not winning the battle in the trenches than Williams not having success. The Rams running back averaged 0.5 rushing yards over expected per attempt. For the most part this season, the Rams offensive line has been better in the run game. They’ll need to improve heading into next week.
Stock Up: Sean McVay
Sean McVay proved why he is one of the best head coaches in the NFL with the win over the Vikings. There are not many head coaches who would have been able to navigate everything that the Rams went through last week. It’s one thing to keep the team focused during a tragic event such as the Los Angeles wildfires. However, McVay also had to get the team prepared with a disrupted practice schedule as well as the game getting moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
The Rams head coach got his eighth playoff win in eight years. Monday’s win against the Vikings may have been his most impressive given the dominance displayed against a 14-win team. It’s certainly right up there with the NFC Championship wins against the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. Coming into the postseason, the Rams have had the mentality that they can beat anybody. They are able to have that mentality because there is such a coaching advantage with McVay at the helm.