Getty Andy Dalton of the Chicago Bears tries to escape from Aaron Donald and Justin Hollins of the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, September 12. The play ended in a sack for Hollins.
Matthew Stafford nearly earned a perfect quarterback rating in the Los Angeles Rams‘ 34-14 dismantling of the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but wasn’t considered the team’s highest-graded player overall on the field.
Neither was Cooper Kupp, even after a 100-yard outing at SoFi Stadium. Defensively, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey weren’t graded the highest overall.
So who was Pro Football Focus‘ top Rams player from Sunday night’s game?
Two hints: He had a career-best night and he played on defense.
Justin Hollins Earned PFF’s Top Grade
Anyone who saw the Rams defense work likely saw No. 58 surrounding the line of scrimmage and wrecking havoc.
Looks like national analytical site PFF did, too, and handed him a 90.1 overall grade: the highest ranking among Ram players in the 20-point home win. Here was the final stat line from Hollins below:
Hollins holdin’ it down!
Career night for @justinhollins_ 💪
On one of his sacks, Hollins lined up next to Donald. The defensive lineman sheds past his block to become the first in pursuit of Andy Dalton. Donald loses his grip and doesn’t finish the sack. However, Hollins gets enough penetration on his bull rush of the veteran left tackle Jason Peters, placing him in a position where he finishes what Donald started.
.@AaronDonald97 bringin’ the heat,
@justinhollins_ finishin’ it up!
First multi-sack game of 58’s career‼️
The other sack saw Hollins knock the ball loose for his fellow LB Kenny Young to get.
Hollins was a clear force against the run and the pass. Oh, he did most of his work when lining up against a nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle and Super Bowl champion Peters. Per PFF, Hollins lined up at the edge on 46 of his 51 plays.
Did Hollins Answer OLB Questions?
One of the hot topic questions surrounding the defense involved the linebacking core.
The question: Who steps up as the opposite OLB of Leonard Floyd?
One year ago, Floyd was one of just two Rams defenders to reach double figures in sacks with 10.5. But the next closest LB’s to him were Troy Reeder and Hollins – both snatching three sacks apiece. The Rams entered this season needing to develop a pass rusher opposite of Floyd from the OLB group.
Hollins certainly sparked the conversation of the Rams perhaps already finding their second pass-rushing option.
Rams broadcast reporter J.B. Long also chimed in.
We’ll never see Aaron Donald miss three straight tackles again (would’ve been 2 sacks and a TFL). Upshot is Justin Hollins gets his 2nd sack of the night, a new career high. Rams take over on downs with 10:00 left to cover and a 13-point lead.
Hollins didn’t just receive praise from Thiry and Long, but the Twitter account of his college alma mater gave him his praise for his breakout night on social media.
Other Grades From Week 1
The second highest-rated performer is considered another surprise. He represents the offense, but he’s not QB1 or the Rams’ top receiving target from Sunday.
David Edwards earned the second-highest grade from the analytical site, securing a rating of 82.0.
The third-year pro from Wisconsin took 52 snaps at left guard. On 28 plays Edwards pass blocked, while 24 saw him open running lanes.
Edwards was one of the front-line protectors who kept his defender in check on the Darrell Henderson goal line touchdown (No. 73 on the left side).
HENDO 😤
@DarrellH8 powers through for the touchdown!
And on the two long Stafford touchdown throws, Edwards help gave his new QB nearly four seconds to throw the ball downfield.
Other high rated Rams performers were:
Kupp: 81.5 overall rating after catching seven passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Young & Donald: Both defenders were given an 81.4 grade. Young finished with 10 tackles (five solo) while Donald had 1.0 sack and two tackles total.
Stafford: Earned a 79.7 rating in his L.A. debut.