As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers in a pivotal NFC West matchup on Thursday night, all eyes are on the backfield duo of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Their combined efforts have been a bright spot in an otherwise uneven start to the season. Williams, the veteran lead back, has racked up 271 rushing yards on 68 carries through three games, scoring three touchdowns while averaging a solid 4.0 yards per attempt. Indeed, his burst has kept defenses honest, especially in that gritty loss to the Eagles last weekend where he churned out 89 yards on 18 carries.
Blake Corum, the young rookie sensation, complements Williams perfectly in this tandem. He's logged 112 yards on 28 carries, flashing efficiency with a 4.0 average of his own and adding a touchdown reception that showcased his versatility. The Rams' coaching staff, under Sean McVay, has leaned into this rotation, splitting carries almost evenly to wear down opponents. However, the 49ers' stout front seven, led by Nick Bosa, poses a real test— they've allowed just 3.2 yards per rush so far this year. McVay himself noted post-practice how the pair's chemistry could exploit San Francisco's occasional lapses in pursuit.
Predictions for the game swirl around this Rams ground attack. Analysts see Williams potentially eclipsing 75 rushing yards if the line holds up, while Corum might snag a score on a screen pass. Yet the 49ers counter with Christian McCaffrey, who's already at 342 yards and four TDs, making this a classic battle of attrition. The Rams, sitting at 2-2 after dropping to Philadelphia, desperately need a win to stay in the division hunt. San Francisco, nursing injuries but still 3-1, won't make it easy.
Moreover, Williams' receiving contributions—15 catches for 98 yards—add another layer, pulling safeties out of position. Corum's elusiveness in the open field has been a revelation, though his fumble against the Bears in Week 2 raised eyebrows. Still, the Rams' offense has averaged 28 points per game when these two share the load effectively.
In a rivalry as heated as this one, the outcome might hinge on who controls the line of scrimmage. What does this mean for the NFC West's balance of power moving forward?