Some last minute thoughts about the LA Rams Week 3 victory

Thought III: RB Michel suits Rams offense

It may have taken three weeks to get veteran running back Sony Michel into the LA Rams backfield. But now that he has started, he is an ideal fit in this LA Rams offense and I’m not certain that even a fully healed Darrell Henderson can do more than slide back into a rotational role now.

Hey, anything can happen in the NFL, and that is especially so for the LA Rams this season. But my eyes didn’t lie. Sony Michel did not just have a pretty decent day running the ball against one of the stingiest run defenses in the NFL. He was also a capable receiver out of the backfield. But most importantly, he is one helluva blocker.

Michel picked up just about everything that the Buccaneers defense could throw at Stafford to break up his rhythm. They sent blitzes, Michel picked them up, and Stafford made the defense pay by throwing it to the void in the defense created by the blitz. Repeatedly.

Sony Michel may be new to the LA Rams offense, but he’s not new to the NFL. He has fallen just shy of rushing over 1000 yards in two different seasons while playing for the New England Patriots. Throughout his time there, he ran as a member of the Patriots running back committee, which limited his carries each year.

He’ll likely share the load no matter how this all settles out in the Rams backfield. But from what I saw from him in Week 3, it will be awfully difficult to force Michel onto the bench. He is a natural in this offense, delivering precisely what the LA Rams need when they need it.