All week, Sean McVay talked about the need to get Todd Gurley more touches on offense. Entering Week 4, Gurley had zero games with more than 16 rushing attempts and didn’t touch the ball 20 times in a single week.
With the way McVay was discussing Gurley’s involvement, some believed the two-time All-Pro might be in for a big performance against the Buccaneers. That was not the case at all.
He carried the ball five times for 16 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 55-40 loss, also catching seven passes for 54 yards.
Malcolm Brown didn’t have any more success, carrying it five times for 14 yards. In total, the Rams had just 11 total rush attempts with Cooper Kupp receiving one carry, as well.
On the flip side, Jared Goff threw the ball 68 times, which is the third-most in a single game in NFL history. It doesn’t need to be said that a balance of 68 pass attempts and 11 rushes is rare and unheard of – even in today’s game.
In fact, the Rams are the only team in league history with 65 or more pass attempts and fewer than 12 rushes.
Many have wondered if the Rams are conserving Todd Gurley for the long haul and trying to keep him fresh for the postseason. It’s a reasonable question and a fair plan for the Rams to take with the second-highest paid running back in the NFL, but McVay maintains this isn’t about Gurley’s knee.
He said after the game that the Rams are trying to win now, not conserve Gurley.
It’s difficult to explain why McVay would call such a lopsided game, especially against a team like the Bucs. Goff hasn’t been sharp this season and Gurley has looked good when given opportunities, which makes this lack of run-pass balance inexplicable.
