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2018 NFL Season: 10 offseason hot takes being proven false

By Erik Lambert

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: OaJon Grudenkland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden looks on from the sideline during the NFL International Series game between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: OaJon Grudenkland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden looks on from the sideline during the NFL International Series game between Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos catches a pass while being defended by cornerback Troy Hill #32 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos catches a pass while being defended by cornerback Troy Hill #32 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

“The Los Angeles Rams defense would be the envy of the NFL”

The Rams were ultra-aggressive in their maneuvers to upgrade the defense during the offseason. A series of trades landed them All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters and veteran Pro Bowl Aqib Talib. Then they struck again by signing former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency to pair with Aaron Donald up front. On paper, it looked like a slumbering beast.

All things considered, it’s been kind of a letdown. The defense isn’t bad, but it’s not good either. Los Angeles ranks 13th in the NFL against the pass and 14th against the run. This despite optimum conditions from their offense, who ranks 1st in rushing at 154 yards per game. While there’s been an improvement, one can’t say it’s a unit other teams will model themselves after.

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