The Rams lost their season-opener to the Bills on Thursday, a surprising 31-10 defeat for the defending Super Bowl champions.
While Los Angeles largely was ineffective against Josh Allen and Buffalo, one thing that stood out to Rams fans and fantasy owners alike was the lack of usage of Cam Akers. The third-year running back, who did not play in any of the team’s’ preseason games as he dealt with soft-tissue injuries, had a grand total of three carries for zero yards against the Bills.
He not only did not play in the fourth quarter, but also was credited with playing in only 18 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Comparatively, running back Darrell Henderson Jr. ran 13 times for 47 yards.
Sean McVay, when asked about Akers’ involvement in the loss, chalked it up to a lack of offensive rhythm. He also spoke extensively about receiver Allen Robinson’s quiet night.
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“We just really didn’t get in much of a rhythm tonight, so it was tough to get anything,” McVay told reports after the game. “I’d like to get Allen more involved, like to get a lot more guys involved. But overall, it was a tough night for us and it was a poor night in terms of the overall decision-making for my standpoint, and that’s something I’m looking forward to correcting.”
Indeed, Robinson produced a similarly quiet night, catching one pass for 12 yards on just two targets. But he at least was on the field for each of the Rams’ offensive plays, and ran 47 routes. Cooper Kupp led the Rams in catches (13), targets (15), yards (128) and produced the lone touchdown of the game.
It’s worth noting that Akers only played one game in 2021 after he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Whether McVay wanted to ease him in early on in the season or just went with the hot hand in Henderson remains to be seen.
In the meantime, fantasy owners will wait with bated breath.
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