The Rams’ Ground Game Has Arrived - And It’s Changing Everything
Back in Week 1, the Los Angeles Rams ran the ball 25 times for just 72 yards in a narrow 14-9 win over the Texans. At the time, it was fair to question whether this offense could generate any kind of consistent production on the ground. The early returns weren’t encouraging - and the skepticism was justified.
But fast forward to Week 15, and the narrative has flipped. Dramatically.
Over the last two games, the Rams’ rushing attack has erupted. Three different running backs have combined for 53 carries, 406 yards, and five touchdowns.
For context, LA had only four rushing touchdowns total in the seven games leading up to their Week 8 bye. That’s not just improvement - that’s a full-blown transformation.
And it’s coming at exactly the right time.
A Rushing Revival That’s Turning Heads
This isn’t a fluke or a product of soft matchups. The Rams have faced six of the NFL’s top 10 run defenses this season - and they’ve come out on top in every one of those games.
That includes a Detroit Lions unit currently ranked 10th against the run. And now, Detroit has to prepare for a Rams offense that’s suddenly bulldozing opponents on the ground.
Two of LA’s running backs have put up at least 70 rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back games. That’s not just balance - that’s dominance. And it’s giving head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur a whole new dimension to play with.
The Rams’ offense is no longer leaning on one or two weapons. It’s becoming a pick-your-poison unit.
Defenses can’t just load up to stop Matthew Stafford or shade coverage toward Davante Adams in the red zone. They’ve now got to account for a surging backfield that can grind out drives, flip field position, and punch it in from anywhere.
Stafford + Ground Game = Trouble for Defenses
Speaking of Stafford - he’s been sharp, even in recent losses to the 8-5 Lions. Over the past two games, he’s completed 59 of 85 passes for 684 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. That’s high-level quarterbacking, even without much help from the run game.
But now? Now defenses have to think twice about dropping into deep coverage or dialing up exotic blitzes. Because if they do, this Rams rushing attack can make them pay.
That’s the kind of balance Stafford hasn’t often had in his career. He’s long been the type of quarterback who can carry an offense, but when you give him a reliable run game to lean on - especially in December - it opens up everything.
Play-action becomes lethal. Drives stay on schedule.
Defenses wear down.
And with the Rams sitting atop the NFC standings, that’s a dangerous combination for any opponent.
Mike LaFleur’s Fingerprints Are All Over This
Let’s give some credit where it’s due. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has been quietly orchestrating this shift. The Rams’ offense has evolved from a top-heavy, pass-reliant unit into one of the most versatile attacks in the league.
We’ve seen the tight ends get more involved. Davante Adams has been a red zone force.
And now, the backfield is humming with efficiency and explosiveness. It’s the kind of offensive versatility that travels well - especially in cold-weather playoff games where the run game becomes a premium asset.
Kyren Williams, in particular, has been a big beneficiary. He’s producing at a high level with a more manageable workload - exactly what the Rams were hoping for when they retooled the backfield.
The result? A team that’s gone from one of the league’s least effective rushing offenses to flirting with a top-10 ranking.
December Football Is Built for This
As the weather gets colder and the postseason picture starts to crystallize, teams that can run the ball and control the tempo tend to rise. The Rams are starting to look like one of those teams.
They’re not just winning games - they’re dictating how those games are played. That’s a big shift from earlier in the season, when the offense often felt too reliant on Stafford’s arm and Adams’ brilliance.
Now, opposing defenses have to prepare for a full-throttle attack. A quarterback who’s dealing.
A red zone weapon in Adams. A tight end group that’s re-emerged.
And a trio of running backs who are punishing defenses in waves.
The Rams don’t just have momentum. They have an identity. And that could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
So buckle up. Because if this run game keeps rolling, LA might just be the most complete offense in the NFC - and maybe the most dangerous.