The Los Angeles Rams’ top-ranked defense was on full display during the 30-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card round.
This group, led by defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, had become accustomed to taking matters into their own hands throughout the course of the 2020 NFL season. So it should come as no surprise to see that they once again kicked things up a notch against a familiar foe in quarterback Russell Wilson.
With cornerback Jalen Ramsey doing another tremendous job on covering wide receiver DK Metcalf, it was only a matter of time before the Seahawks would make efforts to get him the ball at all cost. Rams cornerback Darious Williams managed to capitalize by picking off a screen pass by Wilson and taking it 42 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Williams admitted that he already had an idea of what to expect on the play, per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry:
“That’s a play that I knew was going to happen,” said Williams. “I knew they were going to try to feature [Metcalf], get him the ball somehow, let him break tackles, and I just ran and jumped it.”
It is safe to say that Williams’ intuition has paid some major dividends for him versus Seattle this season. After all, three of of his team-high five interceptions came against Wilson with this one proving to be the most crucial.
Although Metcalf enjoyed a productive day overall, Ramsey once again proved why he is the league’s premier lockdown corner by limiting him to a mere three receptions for 33 yards on seven targets. Williams was able to do his part by making them pay at a time when the Seahawks thought they could take advantage of the different coverage.
The secondary got plenty of help from their pass rush up front as they managed to make Wilson feel consistent pressure all afternoon before finishing with five sacks. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that they managed to do it without defensive tackle Aaron Donald for most of the second half after he suffered a rib injury in the third quarter.
Staley’s group will need to keep that momentum going when they pay a visit to the Green Bay Packers and the offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers this weekend.
