3 reasons LA Rams offense feels good heading into week 6

Rookie Cam Akers is back and looks good

The absence of LA Rams running back Cam Akers had thrown the offense off-balance somewhat. How quickly that was restored when he returned to the lineup against Washington in week five. The Rams tried Darrell Henderson, but try as he might, Henderson is that change-up running back whose greatest weapon is to run at a faster tempo than the fatigued defense.

The Rams tried veteran Malcolm Brown. Brown is gifted at getting a few tough yards at a time. He played well enough but within a limited range of runs that would eventually allow the defense to draw closer to the line and shut him down too. And to be fair, including game five, Henderson has carried the ball 58 times, and Brown has carried the ball 53 times. In all of 2019, Brown carried the ball 69 times, and Henderson carried the ball 39 times. In fact, over six seasons, Brown has never carried the ball more than 69 times in one year.

Akers is ready now

Cam Akers is a rookie running back in a complex offense. As a rookie, Darrell Henderson never saw much playing time because he was not completely ready for his first season. Making matters worse, 2020’s prep time for rookies was not very effective. And yet, here we are. Rookie RB Cam Akers only needed nine rushes to put up 61 yards. Of course, one burst of 46 yards can do help rushing yards pretty quickly.

But the fact is, that Akers did it. He deciphered the blocking scheme and the defense and piled up a huge run after 26 runs. It took Akers three games to amass the statistics for one game for a veteran running back. But it’s an impressive set of stats nevertheless. 26 rushes for 113 yards. He combines the power of Brown and the big-play capability of Henderson. And he is fresher, far fresher than either of his teammates. His time is now, just in time to help the Rams against their division rival San Francisco 49ers.