Cam Akers ran for 171 yards against the Patriots. Now the Rams are at home against the 0-13 Jets. That should make for another monster game … or will it?
As I play around with the numbers, I notice that while the Jets are winless, they’ve actually been pretty solid against the run. Above-average, in fact. It’s the offense (and a woefully leaky pass defense) that’s dragged them down.
New York ranks 12th in run defense, allowing only 113 yards per game. Teams haven’t simply been running the ball down their throats. Only one 100-yard rusher against them all year (and as I recall, Melvin Gordon needed a longer run to get it – I didn’t think he had a great night against them). Only three others have gone for 70-plus.
If you were in a fantasy league and every week used the running back who was starting against the Jets, you wouldn’t be having a killer year at that position. That compilation of backs is on pace to finish the season with 942 rushing yards and 7 TDs, with another 226 yards on receptions.
I’m not anti-Akers. He’s looking good, and the Rams use the run plenty around the goal line. But as we process all of the other backs, I’m expecting there will be some other backs who’ll be coming in ahead of him. Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler off the top of my head. Maybe some more.
| STARTING RUNNING BACKS AGAINST JETS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Run | TDR | Receiving |
| Devin Singletary | 9 | 30 | 0 | 5-23-0 |
| Raheem Mostert | 8 | 92 | 1 | 2-15-0 |
| Jonathan Taylor | 13 | 59 | 1 | 1-3-0 |
| Melvin Gordon | 23 | 107 | 2 | 2-11-0 |
| Kenyan Drake | 18 | 60 | 1 | 1-2-0 |
| Myles Gaskin | 18 | 91 | 0 | 4-35-0 |
| Devin Singletary | 8 | 29 | 0 | 2-18-0 |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | 6 | 21 | 0 | 3-10-0 |
| Damien Harris | 14 | 70 | 0 | 0-0-0 |
| Kalen Ballage | 16 | 44 | 0 | 7-27-0 |
| Matt Breida | 8 | 36 | 0 | 2-17-0 |
| Devontae Booker | 16 | 50 | 0 | 1-1-0 |
| Chris Carson | 12 | 76 | 1 | 3-22-0 |
—Ian Allan