Rams New Front Making Waves Like the Old Ones

 By John Turney 

Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Los Angeles Rams' pass rush erupted late in the 2024 season, culminating in a historic performance on January 13, 2025, when they sacked the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback nine times in a Wild Card playoff game, tying the NFL record for sacks in a postseason contest. This game signaled that the Rams' defensive front was a force to be reckoned with.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks. This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks.

This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

Source: Pro Football Reference.

The current Rams squad has a chance to climb higher. Their next game against the Indianapolis Colts, led by Daniel Jones, replaces a 2024 game against the New York Jets where they managed just one sack on Aaron Rodgers. Adding more than one sack in this matchup could push them into the top five—or even higher—on the franchise’s all-time list. However, the Colts’ offensive line has been stingy, allowing only two sacks this season, presenting a tough challenge.

Historically, the top three spots for sacks in an eight-game span belong to the 1988 Rams (with some games from late 1987), who notched 39 sacks. That year, injuries decimated the defensive line, prompting coordinator Fritz Shurmur to deploy his innovative “Eagle/Hawk” scheme, using two defensive linemen and five linebackers. Led by Kevin Greene’s ferocious blitzes, this unit overwhelmed quarterbacks and secured the franchise record.

Kevin Greene.

Tied with 39 sacks is the legendary Fearsome Foursome from late 1968 to early November. Featuring Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen, alongside Pro Bowler Roger Brown and Lamar Lundy, this front four was relentless, achieving their sack total against fewer pass attempts than modern teams. They also stifled the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per rush attempt, showcasing their all-around dominance.

Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen.

The 1999 St. Louis Rams, the Super Bowl-winning “Greatest Show on Turf” team, rank fifth with 34 sacks over eight games. Often overshadowed by their explosive offense, this defense—led by Kevin Carter, D’Marco Farr, Ray Agnew, and Grant Wistrom—topped the NFL in sacks that year.

Kevin Carter, D'Marco Farr, Ray Agnew and Grant Wistrom.

Other notable Rams defenses on the upper regions of the list feature icons like Jack Youngblood, Olsen, Larry Brooks, and Fred Dryer, cementing the franchise’s legacy of elite pass rushing both in late 1973 early 1974 as well as the last half of 1979 (sans Olsen).

Jack Youngblood, Fred Dryer, Merlin Olsen and Larry Brooks

But that was then. This is now.

Last year, the 2024 Rams, powered by young stars Verse, Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, totaled 38 sacks—a strong but not jaw-dropping figure. However, their current pace suggests they could reach 50 or 60 sacks in 2025, a mark that would place them among the franchise’s all-time greats.

Note: Ignore the yards per rush allowed for the op team and the current Rams. Stopping the run is a work-in-progress. To a degree, the 1988 teams got it under control and if the last three games are an indication, the 2025 Rams won't be pushed around too often and not give up piles of yards to the likes of Saquon Barkley and others.

What to Watch For Tomorrow:

One sack against the Colts keeps the Rams tied for tenth in franchise history for an eight-game span.

Two sacks tie them for seventh.

Five sacks matches the franchise record of 39.

Six sacks would give the 2025 Rams sole possession of the record with 40 sacks in eight consecutive games.

With their young talent and relentless momentum, the Rams are poised to continue climbing the ranks of the franchise’s storied pass-rushing legacy.

Keep an eye out.

UPDATE: 9/28/25—Rams sacked Daniel Jones twice in a 27-20 win, so they are tied for seventh in Rams hisotry for sacks over any eight-game span.