One of the biggest flaws the Los Angeles Rams needed to correct for 2025 was their run defense. L.A. allowed the 26th-most rushing yards per attempt in 2024, and were gashed on the ground in the biggest games of their season.

They added run-stuffer Poona Ford and leaned into the development of their young players like Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Tyler Davis, and now have become one of the better run-stopping teams in the NFL.

Not only do the Rams allow the third-lowest rushing yards per attempt this season (3.5 yards) and tied for the fewest rushing touchdowns (two), but L.A. is also No. 1 in fewest explosive run plays allowed. According to TruMedia, the Rams are the only team through the first five weeks of the season that hasn’t allowed a run of at least 20 yards.

Last year, for reference, L.A. allowed 51 explosive runs, which was tied for the 14th-most in the league.

That’s a stark difference in just a year, and a testament to Ford’s presence as well as the development of the rest of the offensive line.

Perhaps the most impressive feat of the year so far came in Week 3 when the Rams held Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley to just 46 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Last year, Barkley rushed for 460 yards and four touchdowns on 42 attempts over two games.

L.A. has some tough competition still to come on the ground, though. The team faces Derrick Henry in Week 6, although the Baltimore Ravens running back hasn’t looked like himself this season. The Rams will also see Alvin Kamara in Week 9, Christian McCaffrey again in Week 10, Kenneth Walker in Weeks 11 and 15 as well as the Detroit Lions duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Week 15.

So far, the Rams have been up to the task of limiting the best runners in the league. If they remain healthy, the unit should continue to play at that high of a level this year.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams defense ranks No. 1 in this stat after Week 5