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Robert Quinn breaks Rams sack record, takes lead in DPOY race

The Rams defensive end just keeps manhandling offensive lines, taking down quarterbacks and pretty much carrying this Rams team. Relive his record-setting day.

By Ryan Van Bibber
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Another week, another dominant performance by Robert Quinn. All the St. Louis Rams defensive end did against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday was record three sacks, bringing his season total to 18.

That's a new franchise record for the Rams. Kevin Carter held the old record with 17 sacks in 1999. Of course, L.A. Rams great Deacon Jones, who invented the sack, would have the franchise record, but the league didn't make sacks an official stat until 1982.

Quinn's 18 sacks lead the league. Robert Mathis is next on the list with 16.5. If Quinn can hold onto the league lead, he'll win the first ever Deacon Jones Award, created this year to honor the league's leader in sacks.

Soon enough, the Rams are going to have to think about a contract extension for Quinn. He signed a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year after the Rams selected him with the 14th overall pick in 2011. He's not even making $1.5 million this season, and his cap hit is right around $2.3 million. His fifth-year option keeps him in St. Louis through 2015.

Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt and Von Miller have garnered most of the attention from a 2011 draft class loaded with pass rushers. Those three are each dealing with their own struggles this season. Quinn's taken his place with them as one of the best players to come into the league that year.

Here's a look at some of Quinn's fine work on the day.

Quinn's defensive linemates carried him off the field after the game.

Eighteen sacks, plus whatever he can add to that next week in the season finale, would put Quinn on the short list for Defensive Player of the Year. Winning the Deacon Jones Award wouldn't hurt either. He deserves it.

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