In a season where every game counts for the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff aspirations, running back Kyren Williams stepped up when his team needed him most. Despite a concerning string of recent fumbles and a scoreless first half against the New Orleans Saints, the second-year pro put the team on his back, willing them to a crucial 21-14 victory that keeps them in the thick of the NFC West race.
McVay’s Second-Half Adjustments Unleash Williams
Trailing 6-0 at halftime after an uncharacteristically sluggish start on offense, head coach Sean McVay made a bold declaration in the locker room: he was going to commit to the run game in the second half. And commit he did, with Williams as the focal point. The dynamic back responded with a season-high 104 rushing yards, including the go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
When Coach McVay puts that confidence in us and he tells us that he is going to do something, and he actually does it … we’re going to get on a great roll.
Kyren Williams on Sean McVay’s halftime adjustments
Overcoming Adversity and Fumble Concerns
Williams’ standout performance was even more impressive considering the fumbling issues that had plagued him in recent weeks. Coming into the game with four fumbles (two lost) in his last four outings, ball security was a point of emphasis for the young running back during practice. His hard work paid off, as he ran with authority and confidence against the Saints, looking like the electric playmaker that emerged during the Rams’ playoff push a year ago.
It felt like I was me, myself and I. And I was out there playing like that. And I was playing instinctual football, had great energy, and I was distributing that amongst the team.
Kyren Williams on regaining his form
Playoff Implications in Wide-Open NFC West
With the win, the Rams improve to 6-6, just one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the division lead. While McVay insisted the focus remains on taking things “one day at a time,” there’s no denying the impact Williams can have on this offense down the stretch. As quarterback Matthew Stafford noted, a productive ground game opens up the entire playbook and keeps defenses off balance.
When he knows that we’re handing the ball off and getting yards, the whole playbook comes alive.
Matthew Stafford on the impact of Kyren Williams’ success
If the Rams are to make another improbable late-season surge into the playoffs, they’ll need Williams to continue being the spark plug that ignites this offense. His unique combination of vision, agility, and toughness makes him a threat every time he touches the ball. And as he showed against the Saints, he has the mental fortitude to bounce back from adversity and deliver when the stakes are highest.
With a favorable schedule down the stretch that includes games against the struggling Cardinals and Broncos, the stage is set for Williams to carry the load and lead the Rams on another memorable run. If he can stay healthy and continue to run with the same determination and ball security he displayed in New Orleans, don’t be surprised to see Los Angeles right in the thick of the playoff mix come January.
One thing is for certain: Kyren Williams has proven he’s the heartbeat of this Rams offense. As long as he’s churning out tough yards and finding the end zone, Sean McVay’s squad has a fighting chance in the always unpredictable NFC West. The rest of the league has been put on notice – sleep on this dynamic running back and the resilient Rams at your own peril.
