The Rams may be heading into Sunday with the same familiar formula on the edge: Byron Young carrying the load.
With Myles Garrett still expected to remain sidelined for the time being, Los Angeles is leaning hard on Young to keep the pass rush rolling against the Buffalo Bills. Sean McVay said Saturday it’s unlikely Garrett will have his practice window opened next week, and the message around the team is clear enough - he’s out for now.
That leaves Young in the spotlight again after he terrorized the Philadelphia Eagles with 2.5 sacks. He already has 3.5 sacks on the season, which accounts for half of the Rams’ total, and his impact goes well beyond the box score. Young has also forced a fumble and collected three tackles for loss.
The Rams need that kind of disruption against Josh Allen. Young’s burst off the edge could be the key to keeping Allen from getting comfortable, or at least forcing him to move where the defense wants him to go. Either way, Los Angeles needs pressure to turn the Bills’ offense off script.
There is at least some good news for the Rams’ front. Josaiah Stewart and Aaron Donald were both left off the final Week 5 injury report, giving Young a better chance to work with help around him. Stewart has been dealing with a recent groin injury, while Donald has been in and out of the lineup as he works through his NFL return.
Still, the burden falls on Young more than anyone else on the defensive front. He’s the Rams’ best option to finish plays and create the kind of chaos that can rattle Buffalo.
The numbers back up the eye test. According to Pro Football Focus, Young’s 21 pressures ranked sixth among 112 qualified edge defenders as of Sunday night.
His 81.1 overall grade placed him 13th, and he has held up well against the run too, ranking 15th with seven stops. He also sat third with 15 hurries.
That all matters against a Buffalo offense that runs through Allen first and running back James Cook second. Young will have to handle both the rushing and passing games, and he has looked the part since shaking off a Week 1 dud that mirrored the rest of the defense.
The Rams could use a little more help from the rest of the edge group, too. Per PFF, all other LA edge defenders - including Garrett - have combined for just 11 pressures.
Undrafted rookie Wesley Bailey is the only other EDGE with a sack. Kobie Turner and the interior group have played well, but those efforts haven’t yet turned into many splash plays against the pass.
So once again, the Rams are likely to ask Young to do the heavy lifting off the edge. With Garrett out, Stewart still working back, and the depth behind them thin, Los Angeles doesn’t have many other choices.
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