No C.J. Anderson would have meant no Super Bowl for the Rams

As good as the Los Angeles Rams have been this season, they aren’t in the Super Bowl without C.J. Anderson.

Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson has been a critical part of this Super Bowl run. Since being signed by LA before a Week 16 game against the Arizona Cardinals, his efforts have been a significant reason why they are  4-0 with him on the roster, and poised to hoist a Lombardi Trophy on Super Sunday.

Fans of Todd Gurley, the 2017 NFL Offensive Player Of The Year, would have to admit that whatever issue there is or is not with his knee, something likely hampered his effort down the stretch, dating back to the Rams 54-51 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The two game losing streak Los Angeles went through was the best indicator that any success in the playoffs would be tied to the Rams being able to run the football. Losses at the Chicago Bears and against the Philadelphia Eagles, showed what the end result would be with an anemic running game.

In Chicago, Gurley would rush for only 28 yards on 11 carries with zero touchdowns. Against the Eagles in the Coliseum, he’d have a better game with 38 yards on 12 attempts, adding two touchdowns in the loss. Both losses also cast a white hot light on quarterback Jared Goff. While Goff performed well against the Eagles, his disaster against the Bears was telling as to how important a strong rushing game is to his.

The addition of Anderson has shown how potentially devastating losing a back like Gurley could have been. In four games including two in the playoffs, Anderson has amassed 466 yards with four touchdowns. Against both the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints, he was the leading rusher. In the NFC Championship Game, his postseason experience was key for the Rams finding their collective footing when the game could have gotten out of hand.

With the running game most likely a point of focus for the Patriots, and some uncertainty surrounding Gurley, Anderson could be a significant factor on Super Bowl Sunday. A game the Rams probably aren’t in without him.