Rumble of Rams running backs is getting louder at the perfect time of year

In Week 1, the 10-3 Los Angeles Rams offense rushed 25 times for 72 yards. While LA prevailed over the visiting Houston Texans by a score of 14-9, the conclusion that NFL analysts and fans arrived at after that contest was simple. This offense would struggle in running the football. And nobody who reached that conclusion was wrong, then.

Fast forward to Week 15. Three running backs over the past two games have combined for 53 carries, 406 yards, and five touchdowns. In terms of rushing touchdowns alone, the team only managed four rushing touchdowns in seven games before the Week 8 BYE.

Don't look now, Rams fans, but this offense can run the football.

The Detroit Lions have a fairly solid run defense, currently at tenth in the NFL. But LA has faced six of the NFL's best 10 run defenses, and has won every game. Better still, the offense boasts two of the three running backs who have rushed for at least 70 yards and 1 touchdown in each of the last two games. The Lions have to face an offense that has dominated in the running game.

The rumble of the LA Rams rushing attack is getting louder at the right time of year.,

Suddenly, Matthew Stafford looks unassailable in Week 15

While Los Angeles has met defeat in the past two games against the 8-5 Detroit Lions, you cannot fault the performance of quarterback Matthew Stafford. In the past two games, Stafford has completed 59 of 85 passes for 684 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. But in those games, the offense has rushed 40 times for 151 yards and one touchdown.

Two games with a pedestrian rushing attack. How effective will Stafford become with a defense that must respect the ground game? We're all about to find out.

Keep in mind that the Rams' rumbling running backs are just the latest feature of a rather productive offense. This offense boasts Davante Adams as a red zone specialist, a complete revival of tight end proficiency, and now a resounding explosion of running back value in this offense. The invisible hand of offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is clearly at work.

Defenses, particularly as the season winds down, excel at neutralizing one or two key offensive weapons. But LA's offense boasts more than a handful of very dangerous skill players, each of whom can score multiple times in a game. How can defenses hope to neutralize everyone?

Running back Kyren Williams loves the rushing revival. He is getting better production with a lighter workload this season, which is exactly what the front office hoped to accomplish. The Rams have exploded recently, skyrocketing from one of the worst rushing offenses to flirt with an NFL top 10 placement.

Colder weather enhances the value of a sound running game. While Los Angeles is currently showing up as the top-seeded team in the NFC, it is not assured of ending the season there. If this offense must take its show on the road, a stampeding rushing attack is the best weapon it can deploy.

Matthew Stafford has seldom enjoyed a strong running game to complement his passing proficiency. Well, he has one now. Grab your popcorn, as this ought to get good.

As always, thanks for reading.