Rams offense finds its mojo with return of Kyren Williams in win over Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Rams’ offense had gone into quicksand the last four games. After averaging 367 yards and 23 points per game in the first six contests of the year, those numbers dropped to 272 and 14.25. A lot factors into numbers like that, including quarterback Matthew Stafford dealing with a thumb injury for part of that four-game drudge.

But the one common denominator for six games of success and four games of struggles was the availability of running back Kyren Williams. When the second-year back was healthy, the Rams had a balanced offense. When he was on injured reserve with an ankle sprain, they lost a dimension, and went 1-3 in the process.

Williams returned to action in Sunday’s 37-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, and with him, the Rams (5-6) rediscovered some of their offensive mojo.

Thirty-seven was a season-high in points for the Rams offense. The 457 yards and 25 first downs were high marks for the team since Week 4.

And on a night in which receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combined for 45 yards on seven catches, Williams was the straw that stirred the drink for the Rams to the tune of a career-high 204 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

“What do you think?” head coach Sean McVay quipped when asked how Williams impacted the offense’s energy. “He’s one of those guys, he loves competing. And when you’ve got that natural just zest and enjoyment for going out there and playing the game ... it’s a big difference and I think that you’ve seen that the last two times that he’s played.”

Williams started quietly but still had an impact on the opening drive. He found himself a big hole to run through for 8 yards on fourth-and-1 to set up a touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee, the first of two scores for the veteran tight end.

As he worked his way into the game, Williams began to cut loose. He slipped out of the backfield for a few check-down passes, then at the end of the first half took a screen 15 yards for a touchdown, skipping into the end zone as he has several times at the end of his nine scores this season.

“I love the ball,” Williams said. “When I caught that ball and I saw nothing but green grass and [left guard] Steve Avila in front of me, I almost had a smile on my face before I caught the ball.”

To cap the celebration, he found a couple of Rams fans in the front row and jumped up to join them, turning back to his teammates with his arms spread wide.

Just before halftime, Williams broke a 24-yard run. It was a preview of what was to come in the second half, which he opened up with a simple run up the middle for 56, with only a shoestring tackle preventing a touchdown.

“Especially on the gap-scheme runs, [the offensive linemen] were staying tight, staying thick on the d-linemen and just allowing me to be able to do what I do best, that’s just make a decisive decision off of that linebacker,” Williams said. “That’s what I was doing today, I was really just trying to manipulate the linebackers and follow the blocks.”

He iced the game with another slip-out reception for a 3-yard score, bowing to the emptying stands as he finished the game. Williams finished with 16 carries for 143 yards on a night in which his mom, sister and other family members were in attendance.

“They know how much passion, they know how much I love this, they know how much I put in to get where I’m at now,” Williams said. “So it’s a win for all of us.”

With the way the defense was playing, this set up an easy Rams victory.

After allowing the Cardinals to march 75 yards on the opening drive, the Rams allowed only one first down on the next five drives of the half. Safety Jordan Fuller broke up four passes, while rookie Kobie Turner doubled his season sack total with two of Kyler Murray.

The win kept the Rams within one game of the NFC’s final playoff spot. And with the way the offense looked on Sunday, that outcome feels more and more possible.

“When we can run the ball like that, when you got guys and you’re able to be efficient in the run game, that makes things so much easier,” Kupp said, complementing the way McVay mixed up his play calls. “When we can string drives together like that, we’re a tough team to beat.”