NEW ORLEANS – Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum ran wild on the Caesars Superdome turf on Sunday, helping Los Angeles set its season-high in rushing yards with 156.
Coming in, the Saints allowed 5.0 yards per carry (second-most in the NFL), and Los Angeles exploited that weakness with old-fashioned, hard-nosed football. The offensive line created gaps that the Rams' backs hit hard and then fell forward for extra yardage after contact. Los Angeles averaged a season-high 5.9 yards per carry on the day (discounting the two kneel-downs at the end).
"Kyren's energy was outstanding," said head coach Sean McVay. "... When he put his foot in the ground, he was really level… doing a great job on slash running on the second and third levels. The offensive line… and tight ends were doing a good job of being able to get him to the second and third level."
After being shut out in the first half, everything clicked in the second, and the Rams scored on three of their four complete offensive drives behind their dangerous running back duo. Williams carried the ball 15 times for 104 yards while Corum added 42 yards on eight attempts in the Rams' 21-14 win over New Orleans. Los Angeles put a clear emphasis on the ground game, and everyone from the offensive line to the receivers committed to pristine execution in that aspect of the game.
The Rams ran the ball 27 times compared to 24 passesm, and Williams and Corum combined for six carries of 10 or more yards, which set the Rams' season-high. Explosive runs have been few and far between for L.A. this season, but they created gaping holes against the Saints – Williams and Corum didn't miss them.
"It felt like I was me, myself, and I, and I was out there playing like that," Williams said. "... Had great energy, and I was distributing that amongst the team."
The Rams' first two runs of the game went to Corum, who picked up nine and 10 yards consecutively to set the tone. Later on, Williams cut upfield on an outside run, streaking through arm tackles to break a game-long 17-yard run that brought back flashes from his record-breaking rookie season last year. After fumbling twice against Philadelphia a week ago, Williams redeemed himself in a big way against the Saints.
Despite failing to get on the scoreboard in the first 30 minutes, the Rams averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the first half, and Williams led the way with six carries for 42 yards.
"We seen how the runs were hitting in the first half, so we were excited to come out and do the same thing in the second," Williams said.
Even Stafford added to the run game with two quarterback sneaks on third-and-one that picked up key first downs for Los Angeles. And when he did drop back to pass, the play-action game benefited greatly from the Rams' rushing success.
Stafford completed seven play-action passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts (according to Next Gen Stats), accounting for half his pass attempts including a 46-yard bomb to Demarcus Robinson that set up the Rams' second score of the game.
"When (McVay) knows that we're handing the ball off and getting yards, the whole playbook comes alive," Stafford said. "The ability to move the pocket, play-actions, quick games, whatever we want, it's available when you can get six, seven (yards) a carry running the football."
A successful run game sets the Rams up to do what they do best in the pass game, and that was on full display against the Saints on Sunday. And, fittingly, Williams picked up a first down to ice the game by bouncing an inside run to the edge and added an exclamation point in the form of a mean stiff arm as he rolled past the sticks.
"To be able to see him close out that last run… that was pretty cool for him and he's only going to be a guy that just builds off of that," McVay said. "He's made of the right stuff."
