Los Angeles Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview: Will Running Back Committee Work?

The Los Angeles Rams are once again favorites against a feisty underdog in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will the running game be able to hold them off despite its injuries?

For the second consecutive week, the Los Angeles Rams will be home favorites to teams that have made themselves known as a tough out. Last week, they handled the last-place Arizona Cardinals, 26-9. They’ll face a better Pittsburgh Steelers team on Sunday.

There’s been one main story circling around Pittsburgh this season: the anemic offense. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has earned himself a chorus of weekly chants calling for his job, and second-year Kenny Pickett is yet to cement himself as a franchise quarterback.

The Steelers offense ranks 32nd in success rate and 29th in expected points added per play. They’ve been woefully unable to create explosives on the ground, and Pickett’s tendency to flinch at the first sign of pressure has made down-to-down passing consistency hard to find.

Henderson running against the Atlanta Falcons / © Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY

However, things could be rosier for the Rams. After their best rushing performance of the season, the top two running backs on their roster—breakout star Kyren Williams and backup Ronnie Rivers—both landed on injured reserve.

Subsequently, Los Angeles has put together a committee of backs with scotch tape and bubble gum. Rookie Zach Evans saw four carries for 10 yards in Week 6’s action. Practice squad running back Royce Freeman was called up to the active roster. They then signed Myles Gaskin and (former Rams running back) Darrell Henderson to the practice squad, with the expectation that they’ll be elevated for Sunday’s contest.

Very little is clear about how Los Angeles intends to utilize these weapons, but it’s a safe bet that it’ll be an “all hands on deck” operation.

Struggling on the ground could render the offense one-dimensional and put quarterback Matthew Stafford in the crosshairs of edge rusher T.J. Watt. It may also rear its head late if the Rams have a lead and are looking to burn clock.

The adversity should help make Sunday interesting, even if the Steelers’ offense makes changing the channel that much more tempting. Expect this one to stay close throughout.

WHAT: Los Angeles Rams (3-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)

WHERE: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA (70,240)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, 1:05 p.m. (PT)

TELEVISION: FOX

RADIO: ESPNLA 710 AM, Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM

ODDS: Rams -3.5 (+100), -167 Moneyline, Total: 43.5 (o -118/u -110)