Rams have a prime chance to get the run game in rhythm vs. Raiders

No time like the present to keep Kyren Williams happy. Anyway, that's how the Los Angeles Rams should view Week 7 against the Raiders, whose poor run defense gives Sean McVay a prime opportunity to get his run game in a groove. 

The Rams have veered away from it in recent weeks, leading to Williams' seeming frustration at his lack of involvement late in Week 6 against the Cardinals. Reducing LA's offensive inconsistency to abandoning the run would be a gross oversimplification; the passing game hasn't produced explosives in and of itself. The run game can only open up so much. 

Where it can help, most definitely, is in the red zone. And the Raiders' run defense, which has allowed the fifth-most  rushing yards per game at 134.3, is an ideal invitation to commit to the run, not just near the goal line, but early and often. 

Rams rushing attack has a wide-open opportunity

Turning to the run makes even more sense given the Rams' injury situation: no Davante Adams, still no Terrance Ferguson, and possibly no Puka Nacua as he manages a calf injury sustained in Thursday's practice. Plus, churning out yards and chewing up clock will keep the Raiders offense, ranked sixth at 27 points per game, off the field. 

Not only does McVay need to get Williams in rhythm, Blake Corum finally showed signs of life as well last week. His nine carries for 42 yards made for his best rushing performance since Week 2 versus the Giants. For the Rams' run game to really get going, both Williams and Corum need to be effective. 

Williams only carried 10 times against Arizona, for 50 yards. He has 393 rushing yards on the season, on 4.9 yards per carry, plus 217 yards receiving. The Rams don't need to force-feed Williams on the ground if Corum is also productive, but they should look to get him touches one way or another. His 13 touches in Week 6 were his fewest of the season. 

The other half of the equation, or perhaps the other two-thirds of it, is the Raiders defense. Only in Week 1 against the now-0-6 Chargers did Las Vegas limit the opponent's rushing production. Aside from Week 4 vs. the Chiefs, when Kenneth Walker III ran wild, they haven't been gouged in any one game, but they have allowed consistent, solid rushing gains. 

Aside from defensive end Maxx Crosby, there's not much to worry about on that front. Linebacker Nakobe Dean has been good. That's about it. Opportunity should be there for Williams and Corum. It's up to McVay to seize it. 

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