Jared Verse's blocked FG touchdown broke an NFL record

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse flipped the team's Week 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons on its head when he blocked a field goal and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Not only did it big the Rams' life in what was looking like a blowout loss, but it also added to the legacy of Verse's already-exciting NFL career.

The touchdown didn't help lead to victory, though, as the Rams fell to the Falcons, 27-24. But Verse's touchdown run broke an NFL record. He hit a top speed of 20.21 miles per hour on his touchdown run, which is the fastest speed by a 260-pound-plus defender as a ball carrier since Next Gen Stats starting tracking speed in 2016.

Verse has been one of the best young defenders in the NFL since the Rams drafted him in 2024, and this play embodies his exciting potential for the team. He already has more sacks this year than he did as a rookie and has 11 in his career. Verse also has 43 quarterback hit and five forced fumbles in 33 games.

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If the Rams are to continue to compete for Super Bowls, it will be because of players like Verse doing things like this. The Falcons' game looked completely lost up until this point, and Verse gave the Rams some light heading into the quarter.

However, the defense as a whole didn't do enough to keep the Falcons at bay. They'll need to get better after giving up 99 points in the past three games, two of which they've lost.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Jared Verse's blocked FG touchdown broke an NFL record