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LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Garoppolo is tasked each week with simulating in practice the quarterback the Rams will face in their coming game. But on weeks like this, as the Rams prepare to play the Buffalo Bills, that’s easier said than done.
“Not many guys that can simulate Josh Allen,” Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “If you could have one of the defensive ends or an outside backer play QB, maybe run around.”
At 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds, not many football players are built like Allen, let alone quarterbacks. That frame and the power with which he runs helped Allen make a name for himself early in his career, including in his 56-yard rushing performance against the Rams in 2022.
But this year, as he’s made a strong case as the NFL’s most valuable player, Allen is playing some of his most efficient football. He’s cut down on the forced mistakes and is on pace for a career-low seven interceptions. He leads all quarterbacks with an adjusted EPA per play of 0.298 to go with his 51.6% success rate.
“It’s not just a ton of off-schedule stuff. He seems to calm down. He’s finding his check-down, he’s getting the ball out of his hands,” Shula said. “He’s taking care of the ball, obviously, with not very many turnovers and he’s playing true quarterback.”
But the legs are still Allen’s X-factor. He has only six so far this year, but just look at his 15 rushing touchdowns a year ago. Or the way he caught a lateral from Amari Cooper in last weekend’s snowy win over the 49ers and took it in for a diving touchdown.
Rams head coach Sean McVay dropped his press conference voice Wednesday and became stern when discussing Allen, almost as if he were speaking directly to his players with a warning.
“I think he’s a lot bigger and a harder tackle in-person than probably what guys that haven’t played against him realize,” McVay cautioned. “I remember even going up there in 2020 and listening to Aaron [Donald] talk about how challenging that was and he’s only gotten better. You can really see he understands what’s going on.”
The Rams last played the Bills in 2022, so the litany of first- and second-year players on the defense don’t have experience against Allen. But they are heeding the warnings.
“You see it on tape, there’s no lying in there,” rookie defensive lineman Braden Fiske said, fresh off winning defensive rookie of the month honors. “You see big D-linemen compared to him. OK, he’s definitely got some size out there. And then you see guys chasing down, you realize the size and speed is there.”
Knowing that he’s a different kind of quarterback to tackle, the Rams (6-6) are simulating the techniques needed to bring him down, albeit without actually bringing any of their teammates to the ground.
What that means Sunday as the Rams try to climb above .500 for the first time this season, that remains to be seen. But the Rams aren’t shying away from the task at hand against the Bills (10-2).
“No better way to challenge yourself,” Fiske said. “We got aspirations to be a playoff team. Well, here’s our chance to prove it. I like what we got going.”
NOTES
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (rest) was back as a full participant at practice Thursday after resting Wednesday. Left tackle Alaric Jackson (foot) was a limited participant after resting Wednesday.
Outside linebacker Jared Verse appeared on the injury report and was listed as limited with an ankle injury. He had been a full participant Wednesday.
