Quentin Lake, McDuffie lead NFL in passes defensed
Quentin Lake and Trent McDuffie are tied for the NFL lead in passes defensed entering Week 3 with six each, including one interception apiece, after dominating the Giants. Their calm coverage and trust in teammates matter as the Rams face the Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
Key Takeaways
- Quentin Lake and Trent McDuffie each have six passes defensed entering Week 3, tied for the NFL lead.
- Most of that production came Monday night against the Giants, with McDuffie totaling four and Lake three.
- McDuffie, acquired from Kansas City in a March trade and signed to a $100 million guaranteed extension, has emerged as a Rams defensive captain.
- Coordinator Chris Shula credits McDuffie's poise with the ball in the air and Lake's preparation and anticipation.
- Los Angeles looks to prove the Giants performance was the new standard against Denver on Sunday night.
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Why do Quentin Lake and Trent McDuffie lead the NFL in passes defensed?
Entering Week 3, Quentin Lake and McDuffie are tied atop the league with six passes defensed apiece, each with one interception, according to TheRams.com.
The bulk of that work came in the Rams' 28-6 win over the New York Giants. McDuffie posted a team-high four passes defensed, including an interception of an underthrown deep ball from Jameis Winston intended for Malik Nabers. Lake added three breakups that kept New York in second- or third-and-long.
Lake said preparation meeting opportunity has fueled the surge. "We got a lot of opportunities where balls are coming our way, and luckily we've been able to make a lot of plays on them," he told the team site, adding that his dad's advice — every play is a big play — still guides him.
What makes Trent McDuffie's leadership more than just coverage?
The Los Angeles Times reports McDuffie has quickly become a calm, confident leader after the Rams traded the 29th overall pick and three other selections to Kansas City for the All-Pro corner in March.
Coach Sean McVay said McDuffie has "an amazing emotional intelligence of how to uplift and lead his teammates." Voted a captain after offseason workouts, the two-time Super Bowl winner also wants the hard downs many corners avoid.
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula said top corners keep their blood pressure steady in the "moment of truth." McDuffie credits a Super Bowl LVII lesson against A.J. Brown: when the ball is in the air, do not panic — become the receiver. Shula also praised Lake's Star-position work since 2023, citing route recognition, anticipation, and athleticism.
How will the Rams secondary handle the Broncos on Sunday night?
McDuffie faces Denver after six prior meetings with the Chiefs and still seeks his first interception against the Broncos. He has called Patrick Surtain II the league's best corner, while teammate Davante Adams recently named McDuffie his favorite and the NFL's top corner — a take Hall of Famer Champ Bailey pushed back on ahead of the matchup.
Denver brings Bo Nix plus Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, who had eight catches for 138 yards last week. McDuffie said the Giants game was an attitude reset after a rough Week 1 in Australia, and the standard now is to prove it again.