Does Kupp's absence open door for 3 LA Rams underestimated weapons in Week 1?

Weapon I: RB Cam Akers

I don't think I will surprise anyone with this assertion. As Rams running back Cam Akers goes this season, so goes the LA Rams offense, and the LA Rams team as a whole. Cam Akers has a streak on the line in Week 1. He rushed for 100+ yards each week in the last three games of the 2022 season. That includes the 21 rushes for 104 yards, plus catching all three passes thrown his way for another 24 yards.

Akers wants to prove to the LA Rams and to the NFL that running backs remain vital in offensive schemes, and that Cam Akers deserves to be mentioned among the NFL's best running backs. I believe that the LA Rams should most definitely give him that opportunity.

Why not commit to running the football? When the Rams last made their minds up to run the football, they blew out the New England Patriots in 2020 with Akers rushing 29 times for 179 yards. WIth the LA Rams offensive line getting much bigger, and the Seattle Seahawks defense going smaller and faster, I believe that the Rams could have a real advantage simply by playing a bit pissed-off and trampling the Seahawks defensive front.

A strong running attack in Week 1 will change the entire Rams season. More defensive backs in the box will open the door for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford to connect with speedy receivers like Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell. And the Rams will continue to have opportunities to run well with 12-personnel packages.

It's time to take some chances. In the past, that meant acquiring game-changing players. This year, it means committing to game winning strategies.