Only two players in the NFL have had more pressures in a game this year than Verse
Coming into the past few weeks, one of the biggest storylines for the Rams’ defense has been the continued dominance of second-year edge rusher Jared Verse. After a relatively quiet start to the season numbers-wise, Verse has found his rhythm, recording a sack and forced fumble in three of his last four games. His ability to disrupt the backfield has quickly turned him into one of the NFL’s most impactful pass rushers, and he’s also been breaking up many plays in the run.
Verse’s performance on Sunday was another statement game. He recorded eight total pressures, which are tied for the third-most by any defender in a single game this season, according to PFF, and matched his career high. What stood out was his ability to affect throws while letting the secondary do their thing; every pressure seemed to come in key moments, including a big run stuff of Derrick Henry on fourth-and-goal late in the first half.
Over the past month, Verse has been one of the most disruptive pass rushers in football. His mix of power and speed has been overwhelming for offensive linemen, and his consistency has grown with every snap. The Rams’ talented defensive line, still relatively young, has allowed him to play more freely, and it’s clear that the chemistry is starting to click across the front seven.
As the Rams gear up for the second half of the season, Verse’s continued strong play will be a major factor in how far this defense can go. If he keeps producing at this level, Los Angeles might have found its next defensive cornerstone — a player capable of changing games on his own and setting the tone for years to come.
