The Rams made a clear statement about what they wanted to fix after getting gashed by Saquon Barkley twice in 2024: stop the run, and stop it for real. Their answer was Poona Ford, a veteran nose tackle who has spent seven NFL seasons building a reputation as one of the league’s best run-stuffers. He was every bit that player again in Year 8.
That move didn’t happen in a vacuum. Los Angeles had already started laying the groundwork in 2023 when it drafted edge rusher Byron Young and versatile defensive lineman Kobie Turner.
Then in 2025, the Rams added inside linebacker Nate Landman to line up behind Ford. Put it together, and the group looks built to be even tougher against the run in 2026.
Ford also brings something a little less common to the table: he’s ready for ugly weather. Playing in Los Angeles can be a shock to the system when the schedule turns north late in the year, but Ford has a workaround. He soaks his socks in cayenne pepper, a habit he picked up from former Seattle Seahawks teammate Al Woods.
He’s stuck with it for years, and it makes sense why. Ford spent a full season with the Buffalo Bills, where he dealt with some of the harshest home conditions in the league. Cold, snow, wind - he’s seen it.
That matters because the postseason can turn into a weather test fast. Last year, the Rams went to an ice-covered Soldier Field and beat the Bears in overtime.
Ford was right in the middle of it, playing 44 snaps and finishing with four tackles, including a tackle for loss. Chicago ran for 160 yards as a team, but no Bears back topped 79 yards, and the Rams didn’t allow a rushing touchdown.
This season’s schedule doesn’t look too punishing from a weather angle. Most of the likely cold-weather games come early or at home. The one that jumps out is a Week 9 trip to Washington, DC, to face the Commanders, and then Christmas Day in Seattle, where the temperature can drop pretty sharply.
Even so, Los Angeles may not have to spend much time worrying about the cold if it gets back to the postseason in good shape. Unless the Rams end up in the wild-card round again, they should have a decent shot at avoiding the harshest conditions. And if they do get stuck in the elements, Ford’s secret spice should still be in play.
In Other News...
One Overlooked Ram Is Suddenly A Breakout Name To Watch
The 2026 NFL season is shaping up as a reset across the league, with 32 new play callers entering the mix and a wave of fresh voices taking over both sides of the ball. Among the names drawing attention are young offensive coordinators Declan Doyle, David Blough, Davis Webb and Tommy Rees, while defensive changes bring their own intrigue with coordinators such as Jesse Minter and Patrick Graham stepping into bigger roles.
For the Rams, that kind of turnover matters because it can create openings for players who have been waiting for a larger stage. The broader league picture is still full of uncertainty, from scheme changes to questions about player availability in places like Baltimore, and that makes it even more important to keep an eye on the overlooked names who could benefit when new staffs start sorting out roles. One Ram in particular has suddenly become a breakout candidate worth watching, even if the full answer is still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Are Already Saying What Rams Fans Knew About Kobie Turner
The Rams and Seahawks have spent the 2025 season turning their rivalry back into one of the leagues more watchable grudges, with competitive games and an NFC Championship meeting giving both sides plenty to talk about heading into 2026. For Los Angeles, the most encouraging part has been the way Kobie Turner keeps showing up in the middle of it, giving the Rams another interior defender who can tilt a matchup and force opposing linemen to spend extra time thinking about him.
Grey Zabels praise on a podcast only reinforced what Rams fans have been seeing for a while, even as the conversation around Seattles offense drifted toward the kind of defensive talent Los Angeles is trying to stack around Turner. With both teams viewed as legitimate Super Bowl contenders and another meeting set for Week 16, the next chapter in this matchup figures to come with even more attention on how the Rams front holds up when the Seahawks get another crack at it. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Macdonald Sends A Clear Message As NFC West Rivals Load Up
With training camp set to open later this month, the NFC West is already drawing plenty of attention for the way its contenders have spent the offseason. The Seahawks, coming off a Super Bowl title, are watching rivals make splashy moves, including the Rams trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett, while San Francisco has added wide receiver Mike Evans.
Seattle coach Mike Macdonald, though, is not interested in measuring his team against anyone elses shopping list. He made it clear he is focused on the Seahawks own preparation and performance, brushing aside what the Rams and 49ers have done and keeping the emphasis on what Seattle controls heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]