LOS ANGELES_The focus Sunday _ at the Coliseum and for many NFL fans _ will be on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff as the No. 1 pick in the draft makes a must-see debut against the Miami Dolphins.
That might bode well for Todd Gurley.
The Rams running back has been the focal point of opposing defenses that have prevented him from breaking out.
Can Goff jump-start the offense?
"I don't know," Gurley said Friday. "You're asking the wrong one _ you're just going to have to find out on Sunday, just like I am."
Gurley, the NFL's offensive rookie of the year last season, showed signs of resurgence in last week's 9-6 victory over the New York Jets.
It did not start well: Gurley gained only 10 yards in 10 carries in the first half. But he ran for 54 yards in 11 second-half carries and helped set up two field goals.
"It took us a half to get there," offensive coordinator Rob Boras said. "We're hoping to build off that momentum and carry it over to the first half this week."
Gurley played through a thigh injury against the Jets and was listed as limited on the injury report Friday because of the same issue.
Gurley's success against the Dolphins could depend on Goff's effectiveness passing the ball.
Coach Jeff Fisher joked that the rookie might not be asked to do much.
"We'll put him under center and we'll hand it off," Fisher said, "and he'll have a game where he doesn't have to throw it."
That's not likely to happen with an offensive line that has been unable to spring Gurley. Gurley is averaging 57.2 yards rushing per game and 3.1 yards per carry, statistics that pale in comparison to Miami running back Jay Ajayi.
Ajayi, a second-year pro who played at Boise State, has twice rushed for more than 200 yards in a game this season.
He is averaging 90.6 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry.
"They'll get everybody blocked," Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said of the Dolphins. "There will be one that they can't block and that running back takes it upon him to block by making him miss or just running over him."
