St. Louis Rams: Dominant Defensive Line Could Make Or Break Season

The St. Louis Rams are known around the NFL for having one of the top pass rushing defensive lines. After years of spending high draft capitol on players such as Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Michael Brockers, the Rams have a fearsome starting group of pass rushers. That group was on display in the Rams’ thrilling 34-31 overtime win over the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks – collecting six sacks of quarterback Russell Wilson.

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Contrast Sunday’s performance to a Week 1 loss in 2014, where the Rams collected zero sacks and it is not hard to see why the front four are so important to the success of the 2015 Rams.

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (not pictured) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

“Of course we want to start fast,” defensive end Robert Quinn said about the defenses performance following the game. “We’re definitely far from last year. We don’t want to start like that. The guys got on a roll, we kind of got our energy and the guys are feeling great. So once we started getting back there, we just try to stay consistent. ‘A.D.’ (DT Aaron Donald) started it off and after that, guys just tried to follow him. We’ve got a special guy in 99 so I guess we just need to follow his lead.”

Both Quinn and Donald were key catalysts in the performance, both collecting two sacks. Comparing that to the start of the 2014 season, Quinn did not collect his second sack until Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Donald did not collect his second sack until Week 7 against the Seahawks. Along with Quinn and Donald, defensive end Eugene Sims collected a sack along the defensive line. Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner collected the final sack of the day for the Rams. The pressure did not go unnoticed from the Seahawks as both Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll noted the pressure in postgame press conferences.

Not only did the Rams defensive line play a vital role in pressuring Wilson throughout the game, they were the driving force behind the 4th-&-1 stop of Marshawn Lynch in overtime to clinch the victory. On the play both Michael Brockers and Donald broke through the line. Brockers delivered the initial hit with Donald finishing the tackle to give the Rams their thrilling win. The play drew a lot of praise for Donald. “99 in the backfield. Like I said, if you put one guy on him, you’re asking for trouble,” Robert Quinn said when asked about the play. “99 is a special player. There’s no limit for him if he realizes the true potential he has to be a great player.”

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers (90) celebrates with defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 34-31 in overtime at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

That tackle for a loss was one of seven for the Rams – with six of those coming from the defensive line. This pace will need to continue for the Rams to have success, as they have a three week stretch against the Steelers and at the Cardinals and the Packers from Week 3 to Week 6. With the tremendous start, the Rams defensive line could be the key factor that makes or breaks the 2015 season.

Next: St. Louis Rams Edge Seattle Seahawks In Overtime Thriller

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