Rams razzle dazzle offense gives off "GSOT" vibes as playoffs near

Don't you just love to dive into the annals of NFL history? Sometimes, the coolest tales of NFL heroics, factoids, and just interesting tidbits can be found in the past. And yet, the 10-3 Los Angeles Rams, a team that is very much fixated on the future, is tapping those tales of yesteryear. Why is that worth discussing? Just read on . . .

The Week 14 demolition of the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals may not have surprised anyone. But the way the LA offense shredded the Cardinals' defense was a minor shock. The long-overlooked running backs stampeded for more than 250 yards and three rushing touchdowns. But here's the bonus: This was the first three rushing touchdowns game since December 30, 2001.

That game was won by St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who outdueled then-Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Running back Marshall Faulk rushed 25 times for 118 yards and three touchdowns. The Rams won that game by a score of 42-17.

Now, you know the significance of that accomplishment.

Rams restored rushing means great things for playoff push

How good was the Greatest Show on Turf offense? It was an offense that was powered by quarterback Kurt Warner, wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, and running back Marshall Faulk. It was a group that had already sent Warner, Bruce, Faulk, and left tackle Orlando Pace to the NFL Hall of Fame. Now, long-overlooked wide receiver Torry Holt has finally emerged as a semifinalist.

Coincidentally, the LA Rams boast sensational seasons from quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Are they at an NFL Hall of Fame level yet? Perhaps not. But they have shown enough to consider them potential inductees at the end of their NFL careers.

And offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur knows how to get the most out of those players.

As the weather cools off, the running backs grow in importance. While the Rams are just the 11th-best rushing offense, they average a phenomenal 4.7 yards per carry, which has them rising to the ninth-best rushing offense in the NFL. But over the past two games, this offense is averaging over 7.0 yards per carry.

Los Angeles will never be a run-only team under head coach Sean McVay. But when running backs can churn out that type of yardage every time they carry the football, the passing game will be wide open for Stafford.

Teams that run well win Super Bowls. Well, for the most part. LA is running well right now. Will it mean a Super Bowl LX victory? If nothing else, it's a memorable modern-day homage to the Greatest Show on Turf.

For LA Rams fans, that isn't nothing. As always, thanks for reading.