BALTIMORE – Rams inside linebacker Nate Landman has constantly been around the ball in his time with the team. As a mike linebacker and the on-field signal-caller, it's hard to miss him, whether it be his leadership, energy, communication or game-changing turnovers.
On Sunday against the Ravens, that showed up in the form of a franchise single-game record 17 total tackles in the Rams' 17-3 win. Since 1994, only four other Rams have recorded 16 or more tackles in a single game: James Laurinaitis (2009 vs. Cardinals), Alec Ogletree (2015 vs. Commanders), Mark Barron (2015 vs. Browns), and Keith Lyle (1995 vs. Saints).
"What a blessing to play behind this defensive front," Landman said postgame. "I can't do what I do without those guys. And shout out to (defensive coordinator Chris) Shula, shout out to (G-)money (inside linebackers coach Greg Williams). It's a whole operation. It's not just me, it's a team game. So shout out to those guys, grateful for the opportunity to be in those positions. Just happy for the win."
Almost every run play by the Ravens in the game's play-by-play has Landman making the tackle or assisting on it. Of his 17 total tackles, no two were bigger than when Baltimore faced second-, then third-and-goal from the Los Angles one-yard line late in the first half.
On second-and-goal from the one, he teamed up with inside linebacker Troy Reeder to stop tight end Mark Andrews for no gain after Andrews took the direct snap. On third-and-goal, Landman stopped Andrews solo for no gain up the middle.
On fourth-and-goal, outside linebacker Jared Verse stopped running back Derrick Henry for a two-yard loss. The massive goal line stand eight seconds before the end of the first half kept the game tied 3-3 going into halftime.
"You felt like he was all over the place," head coach Sean McVay said. "I thought his presence was outstanding today."
Safety and fellow captain Quentin Lake, himself among the tone-setters on defense with his first career interception and a fumble recovery against Baltimore, echoed similar sentiments.
"Man, he was all over the place," Lake said. "We talked about guys and great additions, and he's really showing who he can be in this league. He's done a phenomenal job of stopping the run, last week he did a great job of stopping the pass, too. He's just an all around linebacker. And he talked about in one of his interviews that I saw, he wants to really bring that true mike linebacker back, and I think he's doing a fantastic job of that."
