Insane two-game playoff sample proved LA’s young pass rush has arrived
Despite falling short of the NFC Championship, the L.A. Rams’ young pass rush excelled when the lights shined brightest. The Rams’ defense got hot at exactly the right time, and the dominant two-game sample proved that they have arrived and should lead the NFL in sacks next season.
The NFL record for sacks in a single postseason is 19.
This year’s Rams had 16 sacks… in just two games.
The amount of young talent this LA team has up front will feed them for years.
— Mike Kennedy (@MikeKennedyNFL) January 19, 2025
To put into perspective how insane the Rams’ defense was, they finished tied for third all-time in sacks by a playoff team—in just two games(!) The 1984 San Francisco 49ers set the record with 19 sacks in three games during their run to Super Bowl XIX against the Miami Dolphins. Other teams in the top five include:
Washington (1987), 18.0 sacks in three games, won 1988 Super Bowl over Denver Broncos
Bills (1992), 16.0 sacks in four games, lost 1993 Super Bowl to Dallas Cowboys
Bears (1985), 16.0 sacks in three games, won 1986 Super Bowl over New England Patriots
Putting up stats alongside three of the greatest teams in league history—and the Bills—means the Rams did something truly special, even if they hadn’t reached the big game. LA’s production was especially remarkable considering they finished 22nd in the NFL with only 38 sacks.
The Rams likely would have shattered the all-time mark if they had gotten a crack at the Commanders on Sunday. Washington lost starting right guard Sam Cosmi to a torn ACL ahead of the NFC Championship, so it’s reasonable to expect LA would’ve teed off on Jayden Daniels like they had Sam Darnold and Jalen Hurts.
Los Angeles became the first team in league history to have four rookies (Braden Fiske, Jared Verse, Omar Speights and Jaylen McCollough) record at least 1.0 sacks in a playoff game. Here is the final tally of the Rams’ postseason sack leaders:
Kobie Turner (3.0)
Neville Gallimore (2.5)
Jared Verse (2.0)
Braden Fiske (1.5)
Byron Young (1.5)
Ahkello Witherspoon (1.0)
Cobie Durant (1.0)
Desjuan Johnson (1.0)
Jaylen McCollough (1.0)
Omar Speights (1.0)
Michael Hoecht (0.5)
Four of the Rams’ top five playoff sack leaders are either first or second-year guys, That alone is a testament to the excellent work Les Snead has done in the draft in the last two offseasons. If LA can pick up right where they left off this postseason, the Rams should have one of the most physically imposing pass rushes in the NFL next season.
Call it the spirit of Aaron Donald if you will, but whatever magic the Hall of Famer left behind has seemingly rubbed off on this group. The Rams are set up well in 2025 and beyond.
