Rams Notebook: Defense Shines, Special Teams Struggles Define Week 18 Finale

The Los Angeles Rams pulled out a one-possession victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, without their star veterans. What can be taken away from the win?

The Los Angeles Rams needed a road win over the San Francisco 49ers to clinch the sixth seed in the NFC. Despite trailing for most of the game, a series of clutch defensive stops and just enough from backup quarterback Carson Wentz paved the way for a 21-20 victory.

There’s only so much to be taken from a game missing its best players on both sides of the ball. But with many of the players from Week 18’s action expected to show up in the playoffs, there are still some conclusions to come to and questions to ask.

Los Angeles will head to the mitten to play the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round next week. What aspects of Sunday’s action will be relevant in a week?

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) with linebacker Byron Young (0) and defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium / Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. The young defense played hard – and well – despite the schematic challenge.

49ers quarterback Sam Darnold started in place of Brock Purdy and filled his shoes fairly well. A fumble on the game’s final drive would ultimately be his demise, but he had a strong day, throwing for 189 yards on just 26 attempts, throwing and running for a score.

Even so, it was an impressive performance from the defense. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan’s wide-zone offense is good enough for seemingly half the league to imitate, regardless of who is under center. The run defense bent but ultimately didn’t break, allowing just over four yards per attempt.

The young defenders that have helped make the Rams competitive continued to show up, even without standout veterans Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones. Rookie defensive tackle Kobie Turner played well, despite a limited statistical output. He played a role in forcing Darnold’s fumble and helped prove himself as a legitimate building block.

Rookie edge rusher Byron Young found a sack and a recovery of that aforementioned fumble. The development of Los Angeles’ youngest defensive contributors should be a factor in stopping a potent Lions offense.

2. The special teams is still an issue.

Head coach Sean McVay is paying for the sins of his offseason. The Rams didn’t prioritize the kicker position, and it has become an issue that has lingered into the winter.

Kicker Brett Maher began the year in Los Angeles, was cut, and then brought back after Lucas Havrisik’s struggles. Maher only converted one of his two extra points on Sunday.

The Rams can’t trust their kicker position, and when the margins are so infinitesimally thin, that’s a scary proposition.

The rest of the special teams weren't much better. They were the 31st-ranked special teams unit by Pro Football Focus’ grading entering Week 18 and didn’t help themselves in Santa Clara.

Puka Nacua Secures Rookie Record in Catches, Receiving Yards

3. Give Sean McVay his flowers.

Special teams decisions aside, McVay – and the rest of this staff (particularly defensive coordinator Raheem Morris) – deserve a ton of credit.

On paper, the Rams entered the year in the depths of a Super Bowl hangover-induced rebuild, without premium selections. Just a few months later, it’s clear Los Angeles will have the opportunity to compete for years to come, as long as the quarterback play remains.

Receiver Puka Nacua highlights the rookie class, but those pesky defenders turned a unit anticipated to be among the worst in football into an acceptable defense. It seems every young player Los Angeles has relied on has stepped up.

Virtually every facet of this team has surpassed expectations and, subsequently, the Rams have, too. At 10-7 and the sixth seed, McVay deserves some Coach of the Year consideration.