#### **The Rams lead the league in defensive expected points added (EPA) with -68.4, according to Next Gen Stats**
This means the Rams' defensive playmaking has kept 68.4 expected points off the scoreboard compared to what the average defense would have achieved. That's largely a product of their 10 takeaways (tied for fifth in the league) and timely stops that have kept opponents out of the end zone. They are also the only team that has yet to allow a run of 20 or more yards.
As a result, the Rams' 16.7 points per game allowed ranks second in the NFL. Only the Texans (14.7) have allowed fewer points per game so far this season.
#### **The Rams' 7.7 third-and-longs (seven-plus yards) forced per game and 8.2 average yards to the marker on third downs both lead the league, via nflverse data**
Head coach Sean McVay always says the Rams need to "earn the right" to rush the passer, and they have done just that with stout defense on early downs. Rams opponents have averaged a league-low 4.3 yards per play on first and second downs, putting them in third-and-long situations consistently and giving the defensive line opportunities to rush the passer in true pass sets. No play-action, no gadgets, just dropping back to throw downfield because everyone knows they have to.
L.A. has forced the second-most third downs per game (14.3) and ranks fourth in the NFL in opponent third down conversion rate at just 34%.
#### **Despite missing nearly two whole games, Puka Nacua ranks first in the NFL in reception EPA (45.5), according to Next Gen Stats**
Nacua's 2025 performance has been second to none in terms of adding expected point value to an offense. Whenever the Rams need a big play, they turn to Nacua, and those 45.5 expected points added to the Rams' offense don't even include the 5.0 that he's added on the ground this season, which are also the most among receivers.
Even Jaxson Smith-Njigba, whose accumulated over 200 more yards than Nacua for the Seahawks, hasn't produced as much EPA as Nacua. That's likely because Nacau's caught a higher percentage of his targets, many of which have come at critical junctures.
He also ranks top 10 in the NFL in receptions (54, second), receiving yards (616, third), yards per route run (3.5, second), first downs (33, second), yards after catch (244, third), contested catches (eight, tied-fifth), catch rate (83.1%, fourth) and catch rate over expected (13.4%, eighth) among qualified receivers, according to Next Gen Stats and PFF.
#### **The Rams' 50 big plays (10-plus-yard rushes or 20-plus-yard passes) lead the league, via nflverse data**
The Rams have 20 big runs (11th) and 30 big passes (first) through seven weeks. Last season, the Rams produced 88 big plays all year, tying for 25th in the league.
A split backfield between running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum has given the run game more juice, and wide receiver Davante Adams has opened up the passing game to take advantage of more downfield shots.