LOS ANGELES — The Rams have avenged many dour days from a year ago in their run defense this year. Bottled up Christian McCaffrey twice. Set Saquon Barkley to stationary. Kept Alvin Kamara contained.
Another test looms on the horizon this weekend as the Rams (10-3) prepare to face the Detroit Lions (8-5) and their running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
The electrifying Gibbs crossed the 1,000-yard mark on Thanksgiving and has totaled 1,062 on 187 carries with 16 total touchdowns. His three rushing scores against the Dallas Cowboys last week marked his fifth multi-touchdown game of the season.
“I see as an explosive of a player as there is in this league,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “Every single time he touches it, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, he might score.’”
And then there’s the steady Montgomery, with 603 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season. There was some speculation that the seventh-year veteran might have his role reduced this year after Gibbs put up the numbers he did in Montgomery’s absence to end last season. But Montgomery has 129 carries as he provides a change of pace from Gibbs’ speed.
“Two of the premiere backs in the league. Obviously Gibbs, we all know how explosive he is, what he can do. I don’t know if he gets enough credit for his vision, how he can run the stretch-run game and cut it back,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said. “And then Montgomery, obviously he’s a starting back for pretty much everybody in the league and they have a great 1-2 punch, not to mention a great line and a great scheme that’s well-coached.”
When the Rams faced the Lions in the 2024 season opener, it was Montgomery who did most of the work. The Lions used his bruising style to beat down a tired Rams defense in overtime. Forty-five of his 97 yards came on five carries during the Lions’ overtime drive, eventually punching it in for the game-winning, 1-yard score.
But the Rams got a taste of Gibbs’ all-purpose game, too. He accounted for 74 yards and a touchdown on 15 touches in that game. He’s only grown as a receiver in his third season, with a career-high already in receptions (58) and with 474 receiving yards he needs just 43 more to match his career-best.
The Lions’ ability to alternate between the two keeps a fresh back on the field at all times for Detroit, a challenge for a defense contending with the physicality with which the Lions play. But the fact that Gibbs and Montgomery play with such different styles does allow the Rams to filter through information before the snap.
“You pick up on different tendencies, what they like to do with different backs. Some guys are better at pass pro, some guys are better at outside zone versus inside zone runners,” linebacker Nate Landman said. “So you look at that back’s skill set. Obviously with Gibbs, speed so they want to get him out in space, get him out in the route tree quick or motion to empty. So you can kind of change and narrow down your mindset of the offensive calls that you’re going to get and then match that with the right defensive call.”
BRIEFLY
Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday, instead rehabbing off to the side of the field during the open portion of practice. The Rams only conducted a walk-through on Wednesday, but it was estimated that Adams would not have practiced.
The NFL leader in receiving touchdowns this season (14), Adams has not missed a game for the Rams this season despite dealing with some hamstring tightness at various points of the year.