Rams’ Running Game Explodes After Big OC Decision

While the yards and touchdowns stood out, McVay emphasized that the run game’s growth is rooted in precision and player ownership rather than scheme alone.

“It’s about the players… they’re bringing it to life,” McVay said. “I think they have an ownership and an understanding of what the intent is. There’s great communication pre-snap and then the post-snap execution and the strain and finish.”

That execution has allowed the Rams to stay ahead of the sticks — and avoid entire portions of the down-and-distance battle.

“You show me a good offense, I’ll show you an offense that can do either or,” McVay added. “In a lot of instances, we’re avoiding third downs because of the efficiency these guys are having on early downs from a run perspective.”

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Blake Corum’s Emergence Changes the Math

Kyren Williams remains the stabilizing force, but Blake Corum’s emergence has altered how defenses have to play the Rams. Corum’s speed and decisiveness were evident early, setting the tone on the opening drive.

“That first drive really opened up the whole playbook for us,” McVay said. “Having guys like Kyren and Blake being able to run the ball like they do makes it a lot of fun.”

More importantly, the backfield dynamic has become collaborative rather than hierarchical.

“There’s a cool understanding… if you need a blow, let the other guy come in,” McVay said. “They positively spell one another, they positively push one another. Blake’s emergence has been awesome.”

That balance has allowed the Rams to maintain physicality without overloading either back — a luxury they haven’t always had in recent seasons.

13 Personnel Becomes an Identity

The most telling development may be the Rams’ increasing comfort in 13 personnel — a package that began as a matchup wrinkle and has become a legitimate identity marker.

“You do it a little bit at a time,” McVay said. “But if there’s sequencing behind it… you can just build on it, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”

What started as occasional usage against Baltimore has now turned into a staple, particularly when the Rams sense control.

“We all talked about as a tight end group that we need to earn the right to be in 12 personnel, earn the right to be in 13,” Colby Parkinson noted. “It was fun to see the plan going against the Cardinals to run a lot of 13 — and it worked out pretty well.”

While 11 personnel yields slightly more consistent yardage, 13 personnel produces significantly higher expected points per rush and nearly three times the touchdown efficiency, demonstrating its situational value.

A Foundation, Not a One-Off

Late in the season, identity matters. The Rams’ run game isn’t just supplementing the offense anymore — it’s shaping game flow, protecting leads, and opening the full breadth of the playbook.

With LaFleur providing structure, the backs providing balance, and 13 personnel anchoring the physical edge, the Rams aren’t just running effectively.

They’re running with intent.