Sep 21, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Rams Defense Answers 5 Questions in Week 3 Defeat

Originally posted on Los Angeles Rams on SI
By Brock Vierra | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 6:30 PM ET

WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams defense did everything to win, but the results didn't go their way. Last week, I posed five questions for the unit. Let's see how they did.

1. Is Byron Young a superstar?

Yes. No question about it. Earlier in the week, I stated Young was on the verge of a $100 million extension and I could not be more confident in that claim.

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Four sacks in three games, one sack on Jalen Hurts, 17 pass rush snaps, 10 snaps in coverage. What more could you ask from him? Young is only 27 years old. He's just entering his prime, and this is year one of a new workout regimen, which has made him that much more dominant. It's Byron Young season.

2. Can the Rams' defensive line continue to endure adversity?

Yes, they could. The Rams' defensive line was dominant; they put Jalen Hurts on the ground, they kept him in the pocket, and they forced a turnover. I can't fault them for the loss when they helped set up multiple scoring drives and third and fourth down opportunities on the Eagles' final drive.

At some point, the secondary needed to make a stop. It didn't happen.

3. Is Nate Landman truly the difference on defense?

Landman is the difference. Three games with the team, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Saquon Barkley was stopped, Jalen Hurts was kept in the pocket and the Rams did not lose because of their front seven.

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Landman does his job, and he does it well. That's why he's a defensive signal caller and captain.

4. How will Emmanuel Forbes respond in his return to the NFC East?

Not great. Forbes did what he needed to do to ensure a winning effort through three quarters, but it was bad on that final Eagles' drive. To be fair, it was a problem with Darious Williams and Cobie Durant surrendering catches, but there was a reason why the Eagles went to DeVonta Smith on fourth down for the game-winning score, and that's because they knew they could get Forbes with that formation.

5. How do you stop Jalen Hurts?

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Lose slowly. That's about the only way, and that's what the Rams did. Eventually, Hurts will find his rhythm, and that's what happened. After Hurts was strip-sacked by Jared Verse, leading to an instant Rams touchdown after the turnover, Hurts locked in and drove the Eagles downfield. The Rams did get him to third and fourth down, but were unable to successfully contain him while covering the plethora of Eagles' weapons.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Rams on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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