Rams-Chiefs game of 2018 has a new rival, and I think this one may be better

Reason (2) - Running the football was part of the fun

The 2018 contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and the LA Rams was nearly all about the arm strength and skills of two young NFL quarterbacks. The Chiefs ended the game with 20 rushes for 98 yards and no touchdowns. The Rams ended the game with 21 rushes for 76 yards and one touchdown. But the stars of the show were both quarterbacks and a handful of receivers who seemed undefendable. In that game, they were.

But as much fun as seeing countless passes hurled down a football field into an outstretched receivers arms, I prefer running backs churning out the tough yards. Biased or not, the thrill of seeing Kyren Williams or Blake Corum carrying the football, bouncing off defenders, and racing to daylight is simply thrilling from start to finish.

Perhaps I prefer the certainty (well, almost certainty) that the football will remain in the Rams possession. I still fear interceptions from Stafford whenever he slings that football. But perhaps the more prominent reason that I enjoy a sound ground game is the therapeutic influence that it gives the entire team. A sound rushing attack confuses the defense, controls the game clock, keeps the opposing offense off the football field, and keeps the defense rested.

In Week 14, the Rams controlled the game clock nearly twice as much as the Bills. The final breakdown was:

• Buffalo Bills TOP - 21:30
• Los Angeles Rams TOP - 38:30

Since the score was just 44-42, imagine what the Bills offense might have down with six or seven more minutes of game time?

The most dangerous Bills offensive weapon in rushing was QB Josh Allen. He rushed 10 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns. But the Rams were able to counter his nose for the endzone with a rushing offense that was equally adept at scoring. Rams RB Kyren Williams rushed 29 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while WR Puka Nacua rushed five times for 16 yards and another rushing touchdown. Rookie RB Blake Corum rounded out the rushing attack by rushing eight times for 34 yards and no touchdowns.

It may not have set any records, but it was very impressive just the same.