2015 NFL Preview: Rams' defense ready to terrorize opponents

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St. Louis Rams

The Rams' 2014 season was delivered a massive blow when Sam Bradford was lost to a torn ACL in the preseason. St. Louis opened the year 1-4 and was never able to pick itself up off the mat, finishing the year near the bottom of the NFC.

Highlight of 2014

The Rams executed one of the most creative punt returns in NFL history, sending Tavon Austin and a slew of blockers to one side of the field, luring the majority of the Seahawks' defenders with them. Meanwhile, Stedman Bailey caught the ball over his shoulder near the opposite sideline and sprinted for the score.

Preseason Power Ranking - #24

Unless Nick Foles can prove himself as the team's long-term answer at quarterback, the presence of a potential franchise running back and the NFL's most talented defensive line won't be enough for the Rams to contend in the difficult NFC West. More ...

2015 Season Outlook

Schedule | Roster

Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Off. Coordinator: Frank Cignetti
Def. Coordinator: Gregg Williams

Fisher has kept the Rams respectable during his three years in St. Louis, but is still in search of his first winning season with the club. The NFC West remains one of the toughest divisions in football and the team will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs yet again.

Williams' defense came on strong last year and expects to be one of the premier units in the NFL behind a menacing defensive line.

Cignetti has taken over as offensive coordinator after serving as the team's QB coach for the last three seasons. The onus will fall on Cignetti to generate points with a group that has several new parts.

Key Additions

• QB Nick Foles
• RB Todd Gurley (1st round)
• DT Nick Fairley
• LB Akeem Ayers
• OT Rob Havenstein (2nd round)
• OT Jamon Brown (3rd round)

Key Departures

• QB Sam Bradford
• OT Jake Long
• OT Joseph Barksdale
• DT Kendall Langford
• C Scott Wells
• RB Zac Stacy
• QB Shaun Hill

Foles arrived in St. Louis in the Bradford trade, and while he isn't going to win games himself, he should be a stable presence at the position. Ideally, the Rams would like to run their offense through the ground game, but their ability to do so may depend on how fast first-round pick Gurley can get healthy. Gurley is coming off a torn ACL and the team has made it clear it doesn't plan to rush him into action.

Bold Predictions

The Rams' defense will set the single-season sack record. With an incredibly talented defensive line that features strong pass-rushers on both the edge and interior, opposing quarterbacks will be under pressure throughout the year. If this group can stay healthy, don't be surprised if they challenge and break the single-season sack record of 72, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears. They just may be that good. - Dan Wilkins

Nick Foles will be benched. Despite giving Foles a three-year, $27-million contract, the Rams will come to realize Foles is unathletic and particularly poor under pressure - a real problem behind the team's brutal offensive line. Desperate to save his job, Fisher will demote Foles. - David P. Woods

The Rams will not allow a touchdown until Week 5 against the Packers. This team has gone on touchdown-shutout streaks before, not allowing a touchdown in Weeks 13 through 15 last season, but this would be another level. The Rams' defense is on the cusp of being the league's best and shutting down the Seahawks, Redskins, Steelers, and Cardinals in quick succession will put the NFC West on notice. - Joe Thomson