Sixty percent of the Los Angeles Rams' rushing plays last year went right between the tackles, a physical shift that tells you everything you need to know about how Sean McVay runs his offense. Forget all the "quarterback whisperer" talk for a second, because for nine seasons, McVay has stuck to his guns: he is running the ball. The Rams have only cracked the NFL's Top 12 in pass play percentage once, landing 8th in 2019. This dude consistently keeps it around a 57/43 pass to run split, no matter what. He has not even had mobile quarterbacks to juice those run numbers, either.
Sean McVay Isn't Who You Think He Is
For real, if you thought McVay was all about throwing it deep, you have not been watching close enough. While he is not afraid to mix it up, his run schemes have totally evolved. Back in the day, with Todd Gurley, and then a bit with Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers, it was all about that outside zone, hitting the edges. But after Gurley's situation, McVay pivoted hard. Now, it is an inside/mid zone attack, mixing in duo concepts, which are basically double teams. The goal, pushed through O-line coaches Aaron Kromer and Kevin Carberry before Ryan Wendell took over in 2023, was simple: get physical, push defenses straight back, not just lateral movement. The Rams are now one of the league's biggest employers of duo, running the ball between the tackles or just off tackle, barely touching the outside anymore. It is a brutal, direct approach.Kyren Williams Is A Bruiser, And Blake Corum Adds The Spark
This new, physical blocking scheme demands specific types of running backs, and the Rams have got them. They want patience, vision, and burst through the holes. Guys who can instantly read the flow, make split-second decisions, and cut for gains. Kyren Williams is that guy. At 5'9", 195 pounds, he is been rock solid, consistently cranking out over 1100 rushing yards and 10+ touchdowns in three straight seasons. He has topped 60 rushing yards in 35 of his 45 starts, which is 78 percent of his games. Only Derrick Henry has more carries (220) resulting in a touchdown or first down in that span. People might ding him for not having elite breakaway speed, but this dude makes something out of nothing. He is fifth overall in the NFL for forcing 143 missed tackles and logging 2434 yards after contact in that same timeframe. Plus, he is become a solid receiver and pass blocker. Blake Corum, 5'8", 205 pounds, adds another dimension. While not a pure speed demon either (4.53/1.57), his film shows he absolutely brings more breakaway ability to their run game. This Rams backfield is built different. This shift to a truly physical, between-the-tackles attack, anchored by guys like Williams and Corum, means the Rams are going to be a tough out. They are built to grind opponents down, and that is exactly what they are aiming to do all season long.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.