Kellen Moore says Rams’ defense ‘as good as it gets’

10:16 AM: The Los Angeles Rams’ very young defense – featuring rookies Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Omar Speights, and Kamren Kinchens – is the real deal. The way the defense has played this season – particularly in the last several weeks – has the Eagles’ attention, and here is why:

Including Monday night’s Wild Card Game, Los Angeles has held five of its last six opponents to under 10 points. Meanwhile, their rookies had the most sacks (13) and were tied with the Texans for the most interceptions (8) of any NFL team for the 2024 regular season. Entering the Divisional Round and including the playoffs, Los Angeles rookies still have the most sacks (14) of any team, and the second-most interceptions behind the Texans’ rookies (9).

“Playing really clean, really sound football,” Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore said. “You can tell every phase of that defense is tied together, and obviously the front is doing an excellent job getting pressure and the challenge when you get into obvious passing situations. Those guys are as good as it gets in this league collectively.”

Said quarterback Jalen Hurts: “They fly around to the football and they’re aggressive. Really good defense we’re playing.”

The Eagles, of course, saw this defense in Week 12 (November 24) and had perhaps their best offensive performance of the season: 481 total net yards, including 314 on the ground, converted 9 of 15 third downs, scored on 7 of 10 drives (one punt, one turnover on downs at end of half, one possession at very end of game), so Philadelphia comes into this game feeling good about its offense, too. – Dave Spadaro