The Los Angeles Rams won 28-20 over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, having another fine performance on offense. Running back Kyren Williams, despite two fumbles, still had an impressive day with 152 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Now, Williams has a chance to do something that no running back since 2018 has been able to do.
If Williams can manage to get just 47 yards on the ground in Thursday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints, he would be the first Rams running back since Todd Gurley in 2018 to top 1,000 yards in a season. His eight rushing touchdowns are already the most since Gurley’s 12 in 2019 as well.
Williams has been fantastic since taking over the starting job from former Rams RB Cam Akers, averaging 95.3 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. In just the last four weeks alone, Williams has 493 yards and two rushing touchdowns. In that same span, he also has 88 yards receiving and two more touchdowns through the air.
What makes Williams stats even more impressive is taking into account that he missed four games on IR in the middle of the season due to injury, and still has a chance to break the 1,000 yard benchmark.
As mentioned, Williams would be the first to hit the 1,000 yard mark since former Rams RB Todd Gurley. In 2018, Gurley lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns, was voted First-Team All-Pro and played in crucial role in leading LA to their first Super Bowl berth under Sean McVay. Los Angeles has not had the best success rushing since Gurley’s MVP like season, with no running back going over 860 yards on the ground up until Williams this year.
The Rams will need to have Williams continue his success in the backfield against the New Orleans Saints, who are also 7-7 in the NFC and breathing down LA’s neck for the final wild card spot. Working in Los Angeles’ favor is a Saints rush defense currently ranked 24th in the league, allowing an average of 126.4 yards to opposing running backs. A win over New Orleans would be huge for the Rams, giving them the tie breaker over the Saints, while inching them one step closer to a playoff berth.
