𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

This week was supposed to be a major challenge for the Rams defensive backfield. They were facing Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin with a group that was now down its top two players, with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and safety Quentin Lake on injured reserve. But all it meant was that someone other than Lake could be the star on the back end.

Cobie Durant ripped a pass out of a receivers hands and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. added his second interception in three games in addition to five pass deflections. And with Kobie Turner and Jared Verse winning in the pass rush, the group held Mayfield to his worst game of the season, as he finished 9-of-19 for 41 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before leaving the game with a shoulder injury.

The 103 yards the secondary allowed to Mayfield and Teddy Bridgewater combined are their fewest in a game this season.

The challenges will still come in communication and alignment for younger and newer defenders as the season trudges on without Lake, who is targeting a return for the postseason. But Witherspoon could be back in the next month, which would open Durant up to slide inside and allow the Rams to continue to get playmakers on the field in their dime looks.