Imagine forming an NFL defense with the following parameters. Your budget will only be a third of the top spender. Along with limited financial resources, your "star power" will be limited to one NFL DROY, now in his second season. The majority of the defense's heavy lifting will be done by young players in their rookie contracts. And your linebacker position, the heart of the defense, will be led by an inexpensive castoff.
On paper, the Los Angeles Rams is not bursting with prowess and respect. But place this defense on a football field, and you begin to see why they are worthy of postseason contention.