Can Kyren Williams keep up this pace for the LA Rams?
By Bret Stuter
Do the LA Rams have a new offensive superstar on the roster? Or is it simply a matter of RB Kyren Williams having the Arizona Cardinals number? That's a huge question mark hanging over the Rams' offense right now, and likely a question that must be solved sooner rather than later.
While Williams went on injured reserve and was lost to the Rams offense for four games, he book-ended his absence by dominating the Arizona Cardinals in two games. What do I mean? Well, let's take a look at the past two games for Williams, and see just how well he has dominated.
In Week 13, Kyren Williams accounted for 204 total yards for the LA Rams offense, and recording two touchdowns. That single-handed performance was nearly equal to the offensive output of the entire Arizona Cardinals offense. Williams put up 143 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns on the afternoon.
But that was not the first time that Kyren Williams gashed the Arizona Cardinals for a huge game. Before his injury, Williams faced the Cardinals in Week 6 and had amazing results in that game as well. Williams rushed 20 times for 158 yards and one rushing touchdown in that game as well.
Can Kyren Williams run well against other NFL teams?
For the entire 2023 NFL season, Williams has rushed 113 times for 599 yards and six rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 19 of 30 passes for 166 receiving yards and three touchdowns. But he has 36 rushes for 301 rushing rushing yards and one rushing touchdown against the Cardinals. As a receiver, he has caught six of six passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
That leaves 77 rushes for 298 yards and five rushing touchdowns against all other NFL teams. As a receiver, he has caught 13 of 24 passes for 105 yards and one receiving touchdown. So it does pose the question: Can Williams deliver those impressive results against other NFL teams?
We have asserted that the Rams need to keep Kyren Williams fresh, and must find a way to blend the powerful running of RB Royce Freeman with Williams to ensure that Williams does not burn out.
Williams did put up solid numbers against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4, rushing 25 times for 102 yards and two rushing touchdowns. If the LA Rams are to find success in their final six games, Williams will need to put up consistently solid numbers. Can he do it? That is something that the Rams and Rams fans are about to find out.