Sports
Vulnerable Rams' defense needs complete turnover to compete with Packers
The Rams are searching for answers.
With a still-injury-depleted lineup, they must reverse their 1-3 start and avoid falling out of the playoff race before it truly begins.
The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Jordan Love are coming to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, and they will face a Rams defense statistically ranked at or near the bottom of the NFL.
The Rams are second-to-last in the NFL in total defense, giving up 385.3 yards per game. They are last in rushing defense (165.5 yards per game), 21st in pass defense (219.8 ypg) and second to last in scoring defense (28.8 points per game).
“We’ve been stressing it’s about communication, playing together and I know we’ve had a few moving parts, but I don’t think it’s an excuse for anything,” first-year defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “We have to play, and we expect to go play well.”
The Rams have only three takeaways, which is tied for 27th in the league, and seven sacks, which is tied for 26th.
Safety John Johnson III’s fourth-quarter interception in the season opener against the Detroit Lions is the Rams’ only interception.
“That’s the age-old question,” Shula said when asked what the Rams could do to create more interceptions. “If I knew it, I would do it right now — but that’s something that you harp on. … It comes from playing good defense. … You get [opponents] in more vulnerable situations.”
There have been a few bright spots for defense.
Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse, the No. 19 pick in the draft, was named the NFL’s defensive rookie of the month for September. The former Florida State standout had a sack against the Lions but has missed numerous opportunities in the last three games to record more.
Rookie lineman Braden Fiske also has created significant pressure.
Former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) adds another dimension to the Packers’ offense.
(Matt Ludtke / Associated Press)
Against a Packers offense led by Love and running back Josh Jacobs, the Rams must stop the run, create pressure and force low-percentage passes. The Packers rank third in offense (410 yards per game), seventh in passing (235.5) and second in rushing (174.5). They are tied for sixth in scoring (26 points per game).
Before the season, Love signed an extension that includes $160.3 million in guarantees, according to overthecap.com. The fourth-year quarterback is nursing a knee injury, so the Rams must “assault” the pocket, lineman Kobie Turner said.
“Hopefully, he’s not as mobile as he can be,” Turner said. “But that’s the danger with him: He has the ability to kill you from the pocket, but he also has the ability to get outside of the pocket and create plays.”
The back end of the defense must avoid the penalties and communication errors that have plagued the Rams most of the season.
“Everybody needs to execute their one-eleventh of the defense every single play,” linebacker Troy Reeder said. “It’s got to be the same sense of urgency from the first play to the last.”
Interceptions, players say, will come.
Improved communication, eye discipline and technique are the keys, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon said.
“It’s just paying attention to detail,” he said, “and not just like, ‘Oh, I’ll do it different on game day.’”
The secondary could be bolstered if cornerback Darious Williams is activated to the roster.
Last spring, the Rams re-signed Williams, a member of their Super Bowl championship team, after he played two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams, in his seventh NFL season, has 10 career interceptions, including four last season.
The Rams envisioned Williams starting opposite Tre’Davious White, a former All-Pro for the Buffalo Bills who was coming off Achilles surgery.
Williams suffered a hamstring injury on the second day of training camp. He was placed on injured reserve before the season opener, making him ineligible to return after four games.
Williams practiced this week and was a full participant Thursday. McVay is expected to update Williams’ status Friday for Sunday’s game.
Safety Quentin Lake said players are working individually and collectively to take advantage of turnover opportunities.
Lake, for example, lamented not making an adjustment that might have resulted in an interception or prevented San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings from making a spectacular catch in the second game of the season.
“You still have a long season to go,” he said. “Those opportunities will come, and I think we’re going to make those plays when they do.”
Sports
Lightning players wear full-padded Bucs uniforms, get Baker Mayfield escort before Stadium Series in Tampa
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The Boston Bruins were being hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning not in the usual Amalie Arena way on Sunday night, but rather at Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, before they hit the outdoor ice on a very chilly Tampa night, the Lightning players were spotted coming off the bus wearing throwback “Creamsicle” Bucs uniforms.
Pads, helmets and all.
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Victor Hedman and the Tampa Bay Lightning dress in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers creamsicle jerseys and are joined by Tristan Wirfs as they travel to the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Mark LoMoglio/NHLI)
Fans were cheering as the players, all with their numbers and last names on the back of the bright orange jerseys, made their way into the stadium for their clash with the Bruins.
It was a lot different than the regular blue, black and white jerseys the Lightning players are used to, but these throwback jerseys are a staple in the Tampa area. The Bucs still wear them today on occasion, though it used to be synonymous with losing when the franchise first began in 1976.
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The Bucs were an expansion team, and they turned heads with their uniform color choice. However, they went a whopping 0-26 in them before finally coming away with a win in their second season.
And it wasn’t just the Lightning players the fans were cheering for. At the head of the pack were Bucs stars, quarterback Baker Mayfield and left tackle Tristan Wirfs, leading the way while wearing the actual blue sweater the hockey team would don on the ice at Raymond James Stadium.
Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning arrives prior to the 2026 NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Bruins also had a football theme considering their fellow NFL team in New England is going to the Super Bowl in a week.
With the Patriots back in the “Big Game,” the Bruins showed up in full Patriots outfits, looking like our founding fathers as they got off the bus.
While the NHL and its teams are having fun with this Stadium Series game, both of these squads are coming into the contest on fire.
The Bruins and Lightning each own an 8-1-1 record over their last 10 games, and the Lightning own the Eastern Conference’s best record at 34-14-4. The Bruins are not too far behind, though, at 32-20-3.
David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins arrives dressed as a Colonial Patriot before the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Brian Babineau/NHLI)
Finally, hockey outdoors in Florida is usually conducive, but the NHL will actually need a heater to get the ice to the proper temperature as it’s an uncharacteristic 40 degrees on Sunday night.
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Sports
Despite All-Stars’ efforts, Lakers fade vs. Knicks on anniversary of Luka Doncic deal
NEW YORK — Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic.
Coach JJ Redick acknowledged he felt “stressed” knowing about the trade before the Lakers played the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden that night in 2025.
While his stress may have faded, Redick couldn’t have liked what he saw from the Lakers on the same floor one year later.
Despite a strong effort from Doncic, the Lakers struggled with their shooting and lost 112-100 to the Knicks on Sunday night.
After Landry Shamet made his second straight three-pointer to give the Knicks a 112-99 lead with 59.3 seconds left, Redick pulled his starters. The Lakers led 56-52 at halftime but were outscored 38-26 in the third quarter after New York went on a 15-5 run to take a 90-82 lead into the fourth quarter.
Doncic finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ 45% shooting from the field and 29% shooting from three-point range.
With the Lakers in sixth place in the uber-competitive Western Conference at 29-19, Doncic was asked where he thought they stood in their pursuit of an NBA championship.
“We’re in a good spot,” Doncic said. “Obviously, got some work to do. But I think today we obviously missed a lot of good looks, but I think we have a great group.”
LeBron James had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds, but he fell to 23-9 in regular-season games at Madison Square Garden, and the Lakers slipped to 4-3 on their season-high eight-game trip, which ends Tuesday in Brooklyn.
With the Lakers 5-5 in their last 10, James also reflected on where the team stands.
“I like this group, but we got to continue to get better,” James said. “And that’s good. We should want to get better. … We want to continue to get better and better. It’s a tough league.
“Like I said, it’s been tough all season as far as dealing with injuries. … Unfortunately our All-Star two-guard [Austin Reaves, calf injury] has been out for a minute and that’s a big piece of our team. So, it’s kind of hard to see what we can really, truly be.”
Deandre Ayton had 13 points and five rebounds, and Marcus Smart had seven points and three assists.
OG Anunoby had 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists to lead the Knicks (31-18), who have won six straight. Shamet scored 23 points off the bench, and Josh Hart had 20 points and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson finished with 12 points and a season-high 13 assists.
Before the game, James was named an All-Star for a record 22nd time.
LeBron James had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds against Josh Hart and the Knicks.
(John Munson / Associated Press)
“Obviously, super humbling,” James said. “Mad respect to the coaches and them seeing how I’m still playing at this latter stage of my career and to be able to be an All-Star. That means a lot to my family, my people that’ve been following my career, my LeBron faithful that’s been following my journey.
“It’s always rewarding just from a humble standpoint to be able to be rewarded for what you put your work into. So, it’s pretty cool.”
Sports
Cardinals hire Mike LaFleur as final head coach hire complete across NFL
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The NFL coaching carousel came to an end on Sunday, as the Arizona Cardinals’ hire marked the last team to fill its vacancy.
The Cardinals announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur, the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, on a five-year deal.
After it was reported Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will be taking the Las Vegas Raiders’ job following the result of Super Bowl LX, the final two head coaching spots left in the NFL were filled.
The rest of the coaching hires are as follows:
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Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur of the Los Angeles Rams looks on in the second half of the preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on Aug. 26, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Tyler Schank/Getty Images)
- New York Giants: John Harbaugh
- Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
- Cleveland Browns: Todd Monken
- Buffalo Bills: Joe Brady
- Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike McCarthy
- Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
- Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh
The Cardinals stayed in the division, poaching another coach from the coveted Sean McVay coaching tree. McVay has now had four offensive coordinators since he’s been head coach of the Rams.
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All four of them are now head coaches, including Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings), Liam Coen (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Matt LaFleur, Mike’s brother, who coaches the Green Bay Packers.
“We had the opportunity to speak with an outstanding group of candidates during this very thorough process and gathered tremendous insight from each of them,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “At the end of that process, it was clear that Mike LaFleur possesses all the traits necessary to lead this team to success as its head coach. He is highly intelligent with an exceptionally sharp, creative football mind. Mike is also a dynamic and innovative leader and exactly the type of person we were looking for to guide our team as its head coach.”
Head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur of the Los Angeles Rams follow the joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers at The Bolt on Aug. 4, 2024 in El Segundo, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
General manager Monti Ossenfort added: “In his career, Mike has been around some of the best and brightest coaches in football and has been a key contributor to highly successful teams. He understands what winning football looks like and what it takes to achieve it. Mike is a strong communicator with a detail-oriented teaching style that has always gotten the best from his players and we are incredibly excited for him to bring that to the Cardinals.”
With LaFleur in Los Angeles, the Rams’ offense has been one of the best units in the league, ranking fifth in passing yards (244.9), first downs (21.4) and offensive touchdowns (144) since taking over the role. The Rams also averaged 361.8 yards per game, which ranks sixth in the NFL.
“I couldn’t be more fired up to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and am beyond grateful to Michael (Bidwill) and Monti (Ossenfort) for this opportunity. Having competed against them in the NFC so many times in recent years, I know the type of talent and toughness the team has and cannot wait to get to Arizona to hit the ground running,” LaFleur said in a statement.
Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur interacts with Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams prior to the NFL divisional playoff football game at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Before working with the Rams, LaFleur joined Saleh with the New York Jets, leading their offense in the same role. He was with Saleh in San Francisco under Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers regime as well.
With all head coach roles filled, the coaching dominoes will continue to fall as they build out their staffs for the 2026 NFL season, which will officially start next month.
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