Kyren Williams Takes Accountability for Pass-Protection Blunder in Los Angeles Rams' Win
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is having a truly special second season in the NFL. What is there left to say? He’s battled adversity, recovered from injury, and dominated week in and week out. Few players have been as essential to Los Angeles’ success this season.
As it turns out, he seems like a standout guy, too.
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Williams is getting more attention than ever before, and justifiably so, given his ascension to a 1,000-yard season. He hasn’t let it get to his head.
The back made a costly mistake late in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. On third down on Los Angeles’ last offensive drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked by Giants linebacker Isaiah Simmons. The sack forced the Rams to punt from their own 16-yard line, putting New York in prime position to drive down the field and kick a game-winning field goal.
The Giants gave it their best shot, as kicker Mason Crosby attempted a 54-yard field goal with just over 30 seconds remaining. He missed, and Los Angeles would win 26-25.
“When I seen that field goal miss, I couldn’t do nothing,” Williams said. “I told Zach Evans, I said, ‘Give me a hug. Keep calm and give me a hug.’
“Because that last play on offense, I blew my assignment. I was supposed to pick up 19. So it really hit me when he missed that field goal, thank goodness we came out with a win. A win is a win, we’ll go back to the drawing board and clean it up for next week.”
As ugly as it was, the Rams escaped. A blunder in pass protection can now be forgotten by history as Williams trudges forward in an awesome season.
He entered Week 17 with 1,057 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, along with 30 catches, 192 receiving yards, and three scores. On Sunday, he added even more.
His 87 yards and three rushing touchdowns unequivocally left a mark on Sunday’s game and further cemented him as one of the feel-good stories of the 2023 season. Williams is more than that, though, he’s a star in the making.
For now, he’s just enjoying it.
“It’s just fun man, like it’s finally my time,” Williams said. “I’m gonna take off and run with it. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this. This is the dream.”
