Playing in a division like the NFC West that has featured mobile quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick in the past few years, Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has had experience defending quarterbacks that are not just pocket passers.
The experience will help ahead of the Rams Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, as Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor ranked second among quarterbacks in rushing in 2015 with 568 yards behind only Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers.
Despite being a big threat with his legs in 2015, Taylor has really only done damage on the ground in one game this season which was in Week 3 when he rushed nine times for 76 yards and a touchdown in a 33-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
In his other three games he has rushed for 64 yards on 12 carries, resulting in his team going 1-2.
While it is difficult to prepare for a quarterback like Taylor as the Rams are not in the same division or conference as Buffalo, Fisher apparently will use his experience with Wilson to prepare for Taylor as he compared the two quarterbacks, via Myles Simmons of therams.com:
HC Fisher described Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor as “a healthy Russell Wilson.” Presents many of same challenges with his legs.
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) October 5, 2016
In the Rams 9-3 victory over Seattle in Week 2 they held Wilson to just 14 yards rushing on five carries and 254 yards passing and no touchdowns.
Los Angeles’ defensive line put pressure on Wilson all day and sacked him twice, including on the last drive of the game when Robert Quinn strip-sacked him while the Seahawks were driving to score a possible game-winning touchdown.
Los Angeles’ pass defense ranks 23rd in football this season averaging 275 yards per game through the air, while they rank 17th against the run at 104.5 yards per game.
