Rams offense unlocks a whole new level when Blake Corum gets going

All eyes were glued to Kyren Williams after his comments from last week's loss to the Cardinals. The Los Angeles Rams responded by feeding him plenty against the Raiders in Week 7, but getting his partner in crime, Blake Corum, back in rhythm is just as important to building a sustainable rushing attack. 

Sunday was easily Corum's best game of the year - 17 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown - and coming off an uptick in production against Arizona, it's a promising sign for the Rams offense moving forward. Williams carried 16 times for a season-high 99 yards.

This is what we anticipated from LA's backfield tandem.

Blake Corum seems to be finding his groove after stagnant stretch

Before Week 6, Corum had gone three games with no more than six carries or 19 rushing yards. Although he tapered off later, he found a steady rhythm early against the Cardinals and finished with nine totes for 42. 

Head coach Sean McVay called his number early in Las Vegas and Corum did not disappoint. On the season he's up to 316 rushing yards on 4.9 per carry, plus a career-high 15 catches for 99 yards and his first receiving score.

Sandwiched around his three-week lull, Corum has been solid or better in the other four. Even as Williams remains RB1, that's what the Rams need from his counterpart to keep him fresh throughout the season and to keep the run game humming in full effect. 

For all that Williams excels at - pass blocking, receiving, handling a heavy workload - ball security is one area where Corum offers a complementary balance. His one fumble this season, which the offense recovered, is his only in 267 career carries. 

Williams lost his second of the year against Las Vegas; if Williams gets bit by the fumble bug, Corum can offer a valuable change of pace. But he has to be a productive option. 

Rams need Corum involved for an optimally functional run game

Week 7 was by far the most consistent the Rams offense has looked all year. No coincidence that it was LA's most complete game on the ground; even in Week 2's 28-6 win over the Giants, the rushing attack did not show up to the same extent. Throw out three Matthew Stafford kneeldowns and the Rams finished with 35 carries for 202 yards. 

Speaking of Stafford, LA has certainly done him no favors thus far by veering away from the run game and forcing their 38-year-old quarterback to heave it 50-plus times per game. Stafford leads the league in yards and completions and already has 14 passing touchdowns, but having him throw the ball 249 times in the first six games isn't ideal when the goal is to survive a 17-game season - especially when this offense has been surprisingly incapable of ripping off explosives. 

The Rams need the run game to help stay ahead of the sticks, protect Stafford from blitzes and ultimately keep him upright. Leaning into the run makes even more sense with Davante Adams out long-term and tight end Terrance Ferguson, the Rams' most explosive threat at the position, still on injured reserve. Stafford and the Rams need the run game, and the run game needs Corum. 

Even with Kyren retaining his claim as top dog, to keep him at his best and freshest, Corum will have to help share the workload; from Weeks 3 to 5, Williams carried 47 times to Corum's 16. Hopefully he can ride his momentum to get back on the path Rams fans expected before the season. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow