[BobCarl]

Can the Rams Run Against Seattle?

I hope so.

Why not be positive about it? Rams running back Cam Akers ran for over 100 yards in each of his last three games. The Rams could win this game on Akers' back. Is it just that simple? I wish.

In 2022, Seattle's run defense was poor. They gave up 4.9 yards per carry for 2,554 total yards. This Sunday, their superstar strong safety Jamal Adams is out, which puts a lot of extra pressure on their linebackers to wrap up tackles.

But who is the inside linebacker for Seattle? Oh, it's Bobby Wagner. Yes, that Bobby Wagner. He'll be fired up.

If a fan rushes the field, you can be confident that Wagner will step up and make the stop. But does he still have enough gas in the tank to stop Rams running back Cam Akers? I'm wondering what Akers' yards after contact will be like. I'm licking my chops.

Who did the Rams bring to the table in 2023?

Running backs coach Ron Gould: This is his first year with the Rams, and he has never coached at the NFL level. I get the feeling that Cam Akers is training his coach on how to do the job.

Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur: Also in his first year with the Rams, LaFleur has experience as an offensive coordinator, but he was fired from the Jets last season because his team's running game sucked.

Here are the Jets' rushing stats from last season:

3.80 yards per attempt (31st)
1.05 yards before contact per attempt (30th)
2.74 yards after contact per attempt (27th)
-0.237 rush yards over expected per attempt (25th)
1.475% fumble rate (29th)
59.6% first down rate on rush attempts with two or fewer yards to go (31st)


Who else are the Rams bringing to the table?

Offensive guard Steve Avila: At a hefty 332 pounds and stronger than an ox, you can bet on the Rams being successful on most of their short-yardage runs. In this game situation, I'll be watching Avila's gladiator battles more than I'll be watching the ball carrier.

Head coach Sean McVay: McVay always shows up to the table. He will be designing most of the run plays and include "Plan B" plays that will give the quarterback opportunities to audible a pass play into a run. I think McVay learned his lesson from the first half of last season.

Last year's NFL leading rusher, Josh Jacobs', key to success is getting leverage on the tackler, making it easy to fall for another two or three yards. Akers can do it too. He's great at it. He'll be even better at it this year.

In 2022, Cam Akers had to sit out for a couple of games, and his running backs coach was fired in midseason. Then, the run game got better.

Will Cam Akers get the support he needs from his coaching staff in 2023?

I think so. I think the Rams have the pieces in place to have a successful running game this season. It all starts with Cam Akers, but he needs the support of his coaches and his teammates. If he gets that, I think he can be a star in this season.

[FredsDryer]

I think Seattle is going to give up some good distance on the ground, it doesn't have to be a source of focus, just balanced enough to keep MS standing upright and injury free in addition to keeping the Hags honest. I would LOVE to see clock-spending drives, even if they only end up in a FG or nothing that wears Seattle down so that they are gashable late in the game.

[Joe Pendleton]

Would like nothing better than to see Cam run overeveryone this year

[ramsman34]

Here’s another thing in our favor: a number of the offensive coaches Bob mentioned have different run scheme backgrounds. Akers is a downhill/slash runner. He has gotten better at reading outside zone runs. But, with Avila and a bigger, nastier OL in general, you are going to see more G-Power with Avila and Boom pulling. Your will see straight gap power as well. You will see TEs and Skow motion to FB and run lead ISO plays as well. I think the Rams are going to run all over them tomorrow. Gut feel based on all of the above.

[Hacksaw]

I think Seattle is going to give up some good distance on the ground, it doesn't have to be a source of focus, just balanced enough to keep MS standing upright and injury free in addition to keeping the Hags honest. I would LOVE to see clock-spending drives, even if they only end up in a FG or nothing that wears Seattle down so that they are gashable late in the game.

Keeps Geno and their O off the field. Harder to score points that way. Less pressure on our D too.

[BobCarl]

I think Seattle is going to give up some good distance on the ground

At halftime the game is far from over ... but the run game isn't going so well. I'll be watching the all-22 to see the what -the-eff failed.

Hopefully this is just the vanilla and the game plan is to slash and dash Akers in the 2nd half

[ramsman34]

They ran it when they needed to, stayed in schedule for the most part. Killed Seattle on 3rd down and 3 rushing TDs.

Decent day at the office I’d say.

[PARAM]

They ran it when they needed to, stayed in schedule for the most part. Killed Seattle on 3rd down and 3 rushing TDs.

Decent day at the office I’d say.

Their 4 best drives (3 TDs, FG) were their 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th.

1st: 7 passes (5 of 7) 55 yds; 10 runs 30 yds
5th: 5 passes (4 of 5) 68 yds; 5 runs 8 yds
6th: 4 passes (3 of 4) 54 yds; 4 runs 6 yds
7th: 7 passes (4 of 7) 51 yds; 7 runs 22 yds

23 passes; 26 runs....BALANCE, regardless of the ypc