Zac Stacy Conitnues To Spark Offense

For the second straight week Zac Stacy found success running the ball, only this time it was against a better defense in the Houston Texans. The Rams running game seemed to be struggling in the early goings of the season, but Stacy has certainly added a spark to the running game and the offense as the Rams have been 2-0 with Stacy as the starter.

Stacy has ran for 157 yards off of 32 carries which has put him in the top ten in rushing the past two weeks. Stacy has also averaged five yards per carry. Stacy’s style of running allows him to run between the tackles with the type of physicality that moves the chains and allows the Rams to have a much-needed second dimension for the offense.

Zac Stacy isnt going to wow you with LeSean McCoy type speed or moves, but he will wow you with his punishing running style, which is exactly what the Rams had been missing. Before Zac Stacy got his opportunity the Rams were 30th in yards after contact running the ball with only 1.15. The past two weeks Stacy has averaged 2.42 yards after contact which if you do the math is more than double than what the Rams had before.

Stacy not only has brought physicality to the offense but has also added balance. Throughout the first four weeks the Rams were a pass heavy team, throwing the ball a total of 181 times which ranked near the top of the league. Last week against the Jaguars the Rams ran the ball a combined 27 times with Richardson and Stacy while Bradford threw it 34 times.That didnt change against the Texans. The dynamic duo ran the ball 21 times while Bradford only threw it 16 times. Stacy has added much needed balance to the Rams offense and has added a run game that defenses now have to respect.

Stacy has proved that he can run the ball well consistently, but the road ahead doesnt get any easier for the rookie running back. The Rams play the Panthers and Seahawks the next two weeks who have the 7th and 12th best run defenses in the NFL. Stacy has done well the last two weeks but he still has a lot to prove.

The Rams’ offensive success seems to depend on the success in the run game. The Rams will need to find success as these next two games are very important if the Rams want to turn their season around. As of right now the Rams sit at 3-3 and are right in the playoff mix. If the Rams win these next two games, they could just take command of one of the two wild card spots.