Los Angeles Rams star running back Kyren Williams inserted himself into every Week 3 highlight tape with his front-flip touchdown. In the Rams’ comeback win, Williams emerged as the offensive focal point following early season injuries to wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
On Sunday, the fifth-round selection out of Notre Dame tallied 116 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Like his Los Angeles neighbor James Harden, Williams asserted himself as the system for the Rams offense this season, scoring five of their six touchdowns.
Rams’ Kyren Williams Looks to Have a Strong Performance Against the Bears
In Sunday’s post-game presser, head coach Sean McVay praised the running back’s versatility for the scoring play.
“His first touchdown on the choice route was big. We haven’t gotten to use him as a pass catcher enough,” McVay said. “He’s always got a great game-day demeanor and it showed up.”
With a win on the board and Williams leading the way, the offense must fill out around him. Shifting the focus to the Chicago Bears, the Rams face another elite defensive unit. On a per-game basis, the Bears’ defense ranks inside the top 10 in both yards and points allowed. So how will Williams and the rest of the offense deal with this hurdle?
Step 1: More Targets For Williams
During his Sunday press conference, McVay emphasized getting Williams the ball in passing situations more often. Through his first three games, quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Williams 10 times. This tally places Williams below elite receiving backs like Miami Dolphin De’Von Achane and New York Jet Breece Hall, who jointly lead the running back position with 19 targets.
Getting Williams involved in the passing game can add further versatility to the offense, particularly in the red zone. With Los Angeles’ lack of consistent wide receiver talent, incorporating their best running back is a good remedy.
Step 2: Elevating Blake Corum
With Williams potentially seeing more receiving work, McVay may look to another running back to supplement the run game. While the starter has shown flashes of being a great ball-carrier, Williams is averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt.
The natural next man up is rookie running back Blake Corum. The Rams selected Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, leading some to suspect a diminishing role for Williams. The former Michigan Wolverine has carried the ball eight times this season, with all opportunities coming in the Rams’ Week 2 blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Corum’s college tape shows his ability to run between the tackles, maintain momentum after contact, and contribute to pass protection. That last point is a key consideration, as five offensive linemen are on the injury reserve.
To maximize the offense’s potential on the ground, incorporating Corum into the run game will only benefit Williams. Having both running backs on the field in pony personnel may also be something Rams fans witness against the Bears.
Step 3: Profit?
Despite having a strong defense, the Bears are vulnerable offensively. The key to a Rams victory is simple: minimize mistakes on offense. While McVay and Stafford were able to utilize deep passes, particularly to wide receiver Tutu Atwell against the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago’s secondary is a stronger unit. Two defensive backs on the Bears, Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, have recorded interceptions this season.
Stafford will need to avoid throwing deep to ball-hawk defensive backs while also avoiding pressure from their defensive line. With the sheer amount of injuries to the O-line, pressure is inevitable. By using Williams in screen passes and in getting the ball out quicker, the Rams’ offense can put some drives together and get into scoring positions.
The offense will need the defense to step up against a poor Chicago offense. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has already thrown four interceptions. But with the 31st-ranked pass defense, the Los Angeles faithful may need the offense to win the day again.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
