Case Keenum Proving He Can Shoulder the Offensive Load for Los Angeles Rams

As Week 5 approaches, the Los Angeles Rams are winning because of Case Keenum, not in spite of him.

It is becoming hard not to be impressed by the play of Case Keenum as quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams. Once being a cast-off of the Houston Texans and Rams (for those who don’t know this is Keenum’s second stint with the team), he has found his groove as the team’s starter.

Dating back to last season, the Rams are 6-2 when Keenum is the starting quarterback, with both losses being at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara. Other than those two performances, Keenum has been exactly what the Rams have needed at quarterback.

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Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals was just another example of how the Rams go as Keenum goes. With a struggling run game only amassing 41 yards on 23 carries for a measly 1.8 yards per carry, Keenum was able to shoulder most of the offensive load for Los Angeles.

Keenum posted two touchdown passes to Brian Quick, the second of which proved to be the game winner with 2:36 remaining in the fourth quarter. He was able to complete 60 percent of his passes and had a passer rating of 111.3, both of which are respectable numbers for any starter in the league.

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It would seem hard to argue that Keenum wasn’t the reason the Rams were victorious as there were numerous times when he was able to avoid pressure and create extra time to be able to keep the play alive. The most Houdini-like escape he had, proved to be for not when the Rams were called for ineligible man downfield.

On the play, Keenum was able to evade multiple defenders to find Lance Kendricks open for a big gain, and seemingly extending the drive for the Rams. While it may not have produced a first down, it showed the skills  Keenum possess in being able to do whatever it takes to get the job done. His ability to evade the rush and escape a sure sack is a skill set that definitely should not be overlooked when talking about what Keenum brings to the table at quarterback.

As the wins continue to mount for the Rams, it has become more and more obvious they are winning because of Keenum, and not in spite of him. Even though he does not seem to be the quarterback of the future in Los Angeles, he is definitely the one the team needs at the moment.

As for the next matchup, the Rams return home in first place in the NFC West looking to improve to 4-1 against the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off a convincing win against the New England Patriots.

The hope is that they are able to get Todd Gurley and the running game going, but if not, Keenum has no problem carrying the offense and doing everything he can to make sure the Rams come out on top.