Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams is on the verge of his third-straight 1,000-yard season. The fourth-year back needs 132 yards in order to eclipse this milestone. With five games remaining on the Rams’ schedule, it’s almost a certainty that Williams will hit this mark barring injury.
While 132 yards in a single game is manageable—especially when the Rams seem like an outsized matchup for the Arizona Cardinals—it’s unlikely that Williams will hit this total on Sunday. Here’s why:
Williams only has a single 100-yard game this year
His best day in terms of production this season came against the New Orleans Saints in a 34-10 victory where Williams rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He has two games with over 90 yards, which came against the Philadelphia Eagles (94) and the Seattle Seahawks (91).
This weekend’s matchup against the Cardinals could follow a similar game script to the Saints contest, though the Cardinals are a uniquely tough opponent on the ground.
Cardinals have only allowed one 100-yard rusher
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts is the only player to hit the century yardage mark against Arizona. He posted 123 yards. Javonte Williams of the Dallas Cowboys is the next closest at 83 yards.
Against the Seahawks, the Cardinals allowed 81 yards to Kenneth Walker and 39 to Zach Charbonnet. In total this was one of the better rushing performances against Arizona. However, with the Rams sharing the backfield between Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, they could be in the same boat as Seattle with a strong combined rushing game without a standout individual contribution.
Blake Corum is playing a larger role
Sean McVay has maintained that the team is aiming for a 65% Williams, 35% Corum split in the backfield. Since Week 7 Corum has received approximately 10 touches per game and is seeing a growing role within the offense. In some individual games, Corum has been the more efficient player and ripped off longer runs that the Rams have struggled to produce in recent seasons with Williams as the lead back.
So get used to seeing more Corum. Williams is no longer a workhorse-type back, but this will keep his legs fresh into the postseason.
While Kyren Williams could reasonably hit 1,000 yards on the season as soon as this week against the Cardinals, there are also a few signs that tell us this milestone may be another week away.
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