St. Louis Rams; season’s top performers through the Bye Week

Oct 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) pushes away Green Bay Packers linebacker Nate Palmer (51) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

How else could we have started this post. If there has been one bright spot in this dull offense it has been rookie running back Todd Gurley. Gurley has sparked the Rams offense in tight spots, and was a huge contributor in their win over the Arizona Cardinals. Gurley has certainly lived up to draft status, and all of a sudden head coach Jeff Fisher doesn’t look so crazy for taking the young back 10th overall back in April.

Gurley has amassed 314 rushing yards on 55 attempts, including two consecutive games of 145+ yards, through three weeks. With each game his carry load has increased right along side his rushing yard totals.

Gurley, who was originally projected to make his debut after the bye week, has been far and away the best runner on the Rams team. He has quickly supplanted last years starter Tre Mason and reduced third stringer Benny Cunningham to kick/punt return duties. St. Louis’ next leading rusher is wide receiver Tavon Austin, who has accumulated 99 rushing yards in various ways.

Gurley is an every down back and brings a serious presence to the Rams offense. A team that very publicly announced they would be focusing more in the running game in 2015 now has the workhorse back to do so. Gurley’s presence adds another dimension that helps to elevate pressure on the passing game and open up the play-action pass for quarterback Nick Foles, an area he has excelled in this season.

Next: Has anyone risen to the challenge in such a poor passing game?