Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Cam Akers stole the show with his spectacular performance in the 24-3 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 14.
Akers carried the ball 29 times for 171 yards for a whopping 5.9 yards per carry. Not only was it the most by a rookie so far in the 2020 NFL season, but he also managed to make history with the most rushing yards by a Rams rookie since Jerome Bettis in 1993.
The Rams have had high expectations for Akers since taking him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite a couple of strong outings, he is still looking to take things one game at a time.
Akers is hoping to build off his historic outing and show that he can performa on a consistent basis, per Emmanuel Morgan of the L.A. Times:
“This is just a ‘get-my-feet-wet’ type of game,” Akers said. “You got to do it consecutive and you got to do it consistent. That’s what the goal is. I’m not going to get too high or too low off of one performance.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay added that the rookie’s efforts in practice have started to translate into the game:
“This really started with the way that he’s been practicing,” McVay said. “He’s a creative runner, he can put his shoulder down, he can finish and he’s got the explosive speed. You can just see that this guy is going to be a very special player and this was a great night for him.”
McVay’s comments are an encouraging sign that Akers has seemingly started to find his footing at the next level following a slow start to his rookie campaign. The time has now come for him to kick things up a notch with L.A. looking to secure the NFC West in the coming weeks.
McVay had stuck with a committee approach in the backfield between Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. However, Akers’ emergence into the workhorse role began in Week 13 during the 38-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals when he toted the ball 21 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
It is safe to say that Akers was much more efficient with the rock this time around. This is a credit to the push that the offensive line was able to generate up front in 12 personnel.
Akers has an ideal opportunity to keep his momentum going with a favorable matchup against the winless New York Jets next Sunday.
