INGLEWOOD – I swear, it’s like every time I watch the Rams play, Kyren Williams scores a touchdown.
I guess sometimes perception is reality: Because every time the Rams play Williams does score a touchdown.
Pay dirt nine consecutive games now, and two touchdowns in both of the Rams’ two victories this season.
The streak is one shy of the Rams’ record, set by Greg Bell in the late-1980s and it includes the pair scored in the 20-15 victory over the hapless Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, when the 24-year-old Williams scored his 22nd touchdown as a starter, surpassing Eric Dickerson’s 21 for the most by a Ram in his first 17 career starts.
On social media, one betting site with a vested interest in these things put it in perspective like this: The last time Kyren Williams failed to run for a TD and/or rush for 100+ yards, you were still working off your Thanksgiving dinner.
And you can tell, Williams is still hungry. He told reporters at SoFi on Sunday: “For me, honestly, when I play, every week I gotta continue to keep getting better.”
Shudder to think where the injury-riddled Rams would be this challenging season without their dependable 5-foot-9 running back.
Not even 2-4.
The shifty, stiff-arming ’back has been doing his part to keep them in games, showing up every time and punching his clock in the end zone – even after the Rams raised eyebrows by drafting accomplished Michigan running back Blake Corum in the third round.
Against the Raiders on Sunday, Corum got three consecutive carries (for 11 yards) and then it was back to In Williams We Trust for Rams coach Sean McVay.
And Williams came bursting through when his team needed him as they won an ugly and important and otherwise offensively challenged game, in which quarterback Matthew Stafford went 14 for 23 for 154 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
Williams was the sole complement to a defense that stepped up, forced four turnovers and kept Las Vegas’ talented rookie tight end Brock Bowers out of the end zone.
It was Williams who was was the spark plug who sent a surge through a crowd that has been holding its collective nose before he propelled himself through the Raiders defense with 3:05 to play before halftime.
Williams who, by scoring, spiking the ball and exuberantly flapping his arms, single-handedly got the host team’s fans at SoFi Stadium going.
That energy is a lot of the reason why McVay has been so very happy to ride Williams so much this season.
“I’m really proud of Kyren. He’s so competitive. His spirit, the way he goes about it, I love it,” the Rams’ head coach said earlier this month. “If we can get everybody to start playing like him, we’ll be in good shape. I love what Kyren Williams has done.”
And for the first time this season, the Rams managed to successfully cling to an advantage – thanks in part to the second touchdown by Williams, who squeezed through a hole for a 2-yard score in the third quarter.
“I’m just glad that we was able to get a win,” Williams said. “Being able to score touchdowns and celebrate with your teammates in the end zone, that’s what it’s all about. And that’s what we did, and I’m just glad we came out with a win.”
They managed also to keep their faint playoff hopes on life support – or, who knows? Maybe by finding a way to get past the 2-5 Raiders, they’ve set themselves up for another unlikely late-season surge akin to last year’s, when the Rams came back from a bye week, won seven of eight games and made the playoffs.
The Rams are expecting star receiver Cooper Kupp back Thursday when they face the Minnesota Vikings, though they’ll still will be without his sure-handed counterpart Puka Nacua, who’s been out since Week 1 with a knee injury.
In their stead Williams’ ability to carry on has been invaluable, especially because he’s be working with an offensive line that’s been banged up and battered and feels forever in flux. (That trend continued Sunday, the Rams replaced left guard Logan Bruss with undrafted rookie Justin Dedich, the former USC Trojan making his first NFL start.)
Related Articles
Rams’ defense stands tall in win over Raiders
Which Rams team will show up after the bye week?
Las Vegas Raiders at Rams: Who has the edge?
Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) questionable vs. Raiders
Rams see Raiders’ Maxx Crosby as a daunting challenge
“I just work to provide for this team,” said Williams, who’s tied for the NFL lead with eight touchdowns this season, adding to his career total of 22 that also ranks as the second-most to start a career in NFL history, behind only Larry Johnson’s 27 touchdowns with the Chiefs.
Nonetheless, Williams said, “my focus isn’t on, ‘I have to score.’ It’s not really like that. I’m just trying to be able to provide for this team.”
Seems to me that providing points every dang game is a great way to do it.