INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Kyren Williams demonstrated why he is the Los Angeles Rams' standout running back, scoring the first touchdown of the game with a powerful 1-yard rush against the Arizona Cardinals late in the second quarter. The touchdown, which marked Williams' 16th of the season—14 rushing and two receiving—highlighted his pivotal role on the team as they seek to secure their playoff spot.
This season, Williams has been remarkably consistent, accounting for 14 of the Rams' 15 rushing touchdowns, which translates to 93% of their ground-scoring production. His performance puts him at the forefront of conversation, as according to ESPN Research, this figure is the highest percentage of rushing touchdowns attributable to one player since Josh Jacobs accomplished similar feats for the Raiders last season.
The play preceding Williams' touchdown emerged from Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's impressive 12-yard scramble, which set up the Rams inside the Cardinals’ 5-yard line. Stafford's ability to evade defenders and create plays has been instrumental throughout the season, and his vision to make decisive runs has built anticipation around the offense. Post-touchdown, the Rams took the lead at 7-0, much to the excitement of the home crowd.
Previously this season, Williams had faced challenges against the Cardinals' defense, tallying only 25 rushing yards from 12 carries earlier on. With the recent success of his performance, it was evident his determination to outperform his previous outing against the same foes was set to ignite his gameplay. The Rams' offense had struggled early this season, making Williams' averages and achievements all the more significant.
Kyren Williams has secured his spot among the leading rushers currently, ranking highly as he completed another game rushing at least 70 yards and scoring. Despite facing adversity this season, including injuries to teammates like Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, his focus has remained sharp. Williams brings much-needed stability to the offensive unit, especially as they push for postseason play.
Alongside his teammate Stafford, who completed 14 of 19 pass attempts for 110 yards, Williams’ performance is underscored by the Rams showing resilience. Stafford, albeit showcasing some recent inconsistency, managed to orchestrate plays, including the lead-up to Williams' touchdown.
The Rams clinched the victory with a final score of 13-9 against the Cardinals, adding much-needed momentum as the playoffs approach. With Williams scoring again, he extended his touchdown streak, finding the end zone for the fifth time across his last six games—a remarkable feat for any running back.
Notably, the expectations remain high for Williams as the Rams head toward their next matchups. With the playoffs looming, whether to continue relying on Williams’ proven skills will be part of head coach Sean McVay's game plans. He had previously expressed confidence in Williams, highlighting the impact not only his volume of carries but also his efficiency brings to the Rams.
Overall, Kyren Williams remains undeniably the backbone of the Rams' ground game. His contributions are making waves not only within the team but throughout the league as he continues to build on his breakout season. Fans should keep their eyes on him as he aims to propel the Rams deep through the playoffs this year.