This story was originally published after the Rams' 35-30 victory over the Cowboys on Oct. 1, 2017 on therams.com. Gurley would end up being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Cowboys.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Todd Gurley went up for another hurdle during Sunday afternoon's 35-30 victory over the Cowboys. This time, though, it wasn't quite as successful.
"He hit me in my hamstring, everybody thought he hit me in my… you know," Gurley said with a laugh postgame. "But he hit me in my hamstring. But I was waiting to get one on one with him next time, but it was a good play though."
That was about the only blemish on Gurley's play in Week 4, as he amassed 215 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to help lead L.A. to a second straight road victory.
Gurley finished with 121 yards rushing on 23 carries — good for an average of 5.3 yards per rush. The Georgia product didn't get it all on one run either, instead getting chunk play after chunk play, his longest rush 17 yards.
And Gurley led the Rams in receiving, too, making seven catches on eight targets for 94 yards.
Ahead of Sunday's preseason Week 1 matchup, take a look through photos of the Rams taking on the Cowboys throughout the years.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel (18) narrowly escaped being thrown for a touchback during third quarter of their game with Dallas Cowboys at Coliseum in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov. 23, 1969. Gabriel threw two touchdown passes and scored once himself to lead the Rams to a 24-23 victory. Rams are now 10-0 in the National Football League. (AP Photo/HF)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Roman Gabriel, center, is hit by a host of Dallas Cowboys as the ball heads for the sidelines in third period action of the NFL Pro playoff bowl, Jan. 3, 1970, Miami, Fla. Gabriel was penalized for intentionally grounding the ball on this play. Dallas #54 is Chuck Howley. Rams won, 31-0. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ron Jaworski (16) is sacked for a 5-yard loss after he came off the bench to try to rally the Rams against the Dallas Cowboys in NFC Championship at Los Angeles, Jan. 4, 1976. The Cowboys won 37-7. (AP Photo)
Refree Tom Bell steps between the Rams Jack Youngblood (85) and the Cowboys Roger Staubach (12) after the players exchanged words following a play in NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1976 in Los Angeles. The Cowboys won 37-7. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys safety Randy Hughes (42) makes a diving move to break up a pass intended for the Rams Terry Nelson (83), top left. Hughes crashes to the ground as the ball bounces away. The impact was hard enough to jar Hughes' helmet off during second quarter of the Cowboys 37-7 victory over the Rams at Los Angeles, Jan. 5, 1976. (AP Photo)
Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White (54) fights his way through the blocking of Rams guard Tom Mack (65) in a 14 to 27 Dallas Cowboys loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 17, 1978 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Ed "Too Tall" Jones (72) is blocked by Rams offensive tackle John Williams (75) in a 14 to 27 Dallas Cowboys loss to the Los Angeles Rams on September 17, 1978 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Danny White (11) is sacked by the Los Angeles Rams defense for a 13-yard loss during second quarter action in Irving, Texas on Monday, Dec. 26, 1983. Ram in foreground is Greg Meisner (69). (AP Photo/Mike Murphy)
Los Angeles Rams halfback Eric Dickerson, left, carriers into Dallas Cowboys safety Michael Downs, right, as he moves the ball for yardage during third quarter action in Irving, Texas on Monday, Dec. 26, 1983. The Rams won it 24-17 to take the NFL wild card game. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Gary Hogeboom (14) is sacked by Los Angeles Rams linebacker George Andrews (52) and fumbles the ball during first quarter action, Sept. 3, 1984 in Anaheim in their NFL season opener. The Rams recovered the ball on the one yard line and one play later went in for the score. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
"St. Louis Rams Marshall Faulk runs for yardage against the Dallas Cowboys during a game on September 29, 2002 in St. Louis. The Cowboys won, 13-10. (Photo by Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Torry Holt attempts to make a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during a game on September 29, 2002 in St. Louis. The Cowboys won, 13-10. (Photo by Bill Stover/St. Louis Rams)"
"DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Isaac Bruce #80 of the St. Louis Rams runs with a reception against the Dallas Cowboys on September 30, 2007 at Texas Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Dallas won 35-7. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson runs for yardage against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL Football game on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, TX. The Cowboys won 34-7. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"The St. Louis Rams defense gets set at the line of scrimmage against the Dallas Cowboys offense during an NFL Football game on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, TX. The Cowboys won 34-7. (Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams Chase Reynolds runs into the end zone to score a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL preseason week 3 football game on August 25, 2012 in Arlington, TX. The Cowboys won the game, 20-19. (G. Newman Lowrance/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Kendall Langford during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sep. 21, 2014 in St. Louis. The Cowboys won the game, 34-31. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sep. 21, 2014 in St. Louis. The Cowboys won the game, 34-31. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
"St. Louis Rams defensive end William Hayes during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sep. 21, 2014 in St. Louis. The Cowboys won the game, 34-31. (Photo by Scott Rovak/St. Louis Rams)"
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Ian Seau #72 during the NFL preseason week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Matt Longacre #96 during the NFL preseason week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown #39 and Dallas Cowboys defensive back Isaiah Frey #23 during the NFL preseason week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff #16 during the NFL preseason week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 13, 2016 in Los Angeles. (Ric Tapia/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) gives chase during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) has his pass blocked by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers (90) during a 2017 NFL week 4 regular season game, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Rams defeated the Cowboys, 35-30. (James D. Smith via AP)
Tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive back John Johnson III (43) of the Los Angeles Rams plays against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, August 12th, 2017, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Center John Sullivan (65) of the Los Angeles Rams play against the Dallas Cowboys during Week 4 of the 2017 season. The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Dallas Cowboys (35-30) on Sunday, October 1st, 2017, in Arlington, TX. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass, scores a touchdown, and celebrates with teammates against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams defense against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 13-10 victory against the Cowboys in Week 1 of the preseason, Saturday, August 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams line up against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams hugs quarterback (4) Das Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys after the Rams 35-30 victory over the Cowboys in an NFL week 4 football game, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in Arlington TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 44-21 loss to the Cowboys in an NFL Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass and runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 44-21 loss to the Cowboys in an NFL Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams tackles (4) Das Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 44-21 loss to the Cowboys in an NFL Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley II of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Dallas Cowboys, the Rams are defeated 44-21 in an NFL Week 15 football game at AT&T Stadium, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Tight end (89) Tyler Higbee of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Dallas Cowboys, the Rams are defeated 44-21 in an NFL Week 15 football game at AT&T Stadium, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Will Navarro/Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys during Week 5 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys during Week 5 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys during Week 5 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys during Week 5 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Dallas Cowboys during Week 5 of the 2022 NFL regular season.
With his performance, September's NFC Offensive Player of the Month is the first Rams running back to post at least 200 yards from scrimmage since Steven Jackson had 215 against the Falcons in Dec. 2008. Gurley's led the Rams in yards from scrimmage all four weeks of the season so far.
"These are things that we expect from Todd and I know he expects of himself," head coach Sean McVay said. "I think it's more credit to Todd and letting the players be able to make those plays. And any time that an individual is able to have the success that Todd is having through the first quarter of the season, it's a credit to the unit. And I have been very pleased with those guys."
Gurley's 53-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter was the Rams' longest scoring play of the season, and the longest touchdown reception by a Rams running back in over a decade.
All smiles in the locker room after the game, Gurley said it means a lot for him to be able to show his versatility as a receiver in McVay's offense.
"The mindset he has of me being able to step up and be able to catch passes, it just takes a lot of stress off of everybody — [quarterback Jared] Goff, me, the receivers," Gurley said. "We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things, I mean obviously with Tavon [Austin] he's a mini-running back now and I guess I'm a receiver. So just to be able to have that diversity in our offense and be able to do pass, run, pass, run, that means a lot for us."
That balance has the Rams averaging 35.5 points per game through four weeks, a far cry from the last few years.
"It feels good, man," Gurley said, pointing out L.A. has scored at least 20 points in all four contests. "Obviously we want to score touchdowns, but at the end of the day, a win is a win. We'll take that and that's the thing about the NFL — even though you win, you can always improve and get better each week and that's what we have to do."
The Rams are now 3-1, which is the same record the club had after four weeks in 2016. But Gurley said this team does have a different feel to it — in large part because of the way the offense has executed.
"Yeah, but you know this is only the beginning," Gurley said. "We've been here last year at 3-1 and then we only won one game after that. So, we have to keep that in mind as well and we definitely have to keep moving forward and get better every week. Don't get complacent."
But after this win, Gurley's grin was infectious. A reporter mentioned how it seems like Gurley is smiling a lot more, the running back replied, "I am. When you're winning, I'm telling you, It makes everything so much better."
