Banned from the team in October, Rams running back Cam Akers is now making a pitch for an extended if not permanent residency with the Rams.
On Sunday, the Rams lost to the Chargers, 31-10, at SoFi Stadium. But for the second game in a row, Akers showed the burst and flash that apparently could make him a center in 2023 and beyond.
Akers rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries, giving him back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time in his career.
In the Rams’ 51-14 win over the Denver Broncos last Sunday, Akers rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.
“Just take advantage of my opportunities,” Akers said. “That’s what you see.”
It’s a far cry from the start of the season, when coach Sean McVay publicly called Akers out for a lack of urgency. As the November trade deadline approached, McVay exiled Akers for more than two weeks as general manager Les Snead unsuccessfully acquired the third-year pro.
Upon his return to the team, it took Akers four games to find his footing and a few more before McVay gave him 12 or more carries per game.
In the last two, Akers has been on a roll.
Is it more fun than the start of the season?
“Fair enough to say,” he said, “Absolutely.”
Akers’ resurgence is at least a positive for the Rams, who fell to 5-11 in the season finale against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle.
The Rams’ Malcolm Brown steps high into the end zone past Chargers Alohi Gilman (32) and Asante Samuel Jr.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Seattle is familiar territory for Akers.
As a rookie in 2020, he rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in an NFC wild-card playoff win over the Seahawks. Until the game against the Broncos, it was his last 100-yard performance.
Akers, 23, suffered a torn Achilles while working out before training camp in 2021. He made a remarkable comeback to play in the final game of the regular season and the playoffs, but only recently has he shown form and promise of his rookie season.
Last week, McVay was asked if the Rams would still trade Akers.
“Oh, no,” McVay said, adding that “it would be foolish based on the great work he’s done to think about anything other than him being a big part of what you want to be able to do moving forward.”
“I’d like to be a Ram for life,” he said Sunday, “so it definitely made me feel good.”
After Akers’ performance against the Broncos, he said he felt vindicated for maintaining that the key to establishing an effective rushing attack was attacking with him and putting the ball in his hands.
“The proof is in the pudding,” he said.
He continued to prove it Sunday against the Chargers.
“Commitment to the run game and being effective in the run game, you know, I think that speaks for itself,” he said.
Does the commitment to the running game start with the coaching staff?
“I don’t know,” he said, laughing. “You tell me.”
Rams running back Cam Akers (3) topped 100 yards rushing against the Chargers, his second straight game over the century mark.
(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)
Akers benefited from the return of assistant coach Thomas Brown to coaching running backs. McVay reinstated Brown in that role in December after Ra’Shaad Samples, a first-year head coach, left the staff for a job with Arizona State.
Akers plays with confidence, McVay said.
“That’s the way he creates when there’s nothing — the explosiveness,” McVay said. “I think you’ll see a full turn.”
Akers got off to a good start on Sunday, rushing for eight yards on each of the Rams’ first two plays.
On third down, quarterback Baker Mayfield went through his progressions before finding Akers running down the sideline in left field. A Chargers defender had scrambled, leaving Akers wide open with no one between him and the end zone. But he dropped Mayfield’s pass.
“I should have come with two hands,” he said. “Missed opportunity.”
Akers broke off a 42-yard run on the next series to give the Rams a first down at the Chargers’ 22-yard line. But the Rams settled at the five-yard line and settled for a field goal.
Akers continued to run effectively throughout the game and also caught a 10-yard pass.
“He makes great reads,” left tackle Ty Nsehke said, “flowing to the holes, making the blocks easy because he sets up the blocks.”
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler celebrates his touchdown and Justin Herbert (10) joins him.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Despite his performance, Akers was overshadowed by Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.
The NFL’s touchdown leader rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, including a 72-yard run.
Ekeler became the first player to rush for 100 yards or more against the Rams this season. Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in a Dec. 8 loss to the Rams.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 21 of 28 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns as the playoff-bound Chargers improved to 10-6.
The Rams will need Akers to continue his growth when they play the Seahawks and try to end their losing season on a winning note.
“Cam deserves a ton of credit for the way he’s stepping up right now, the way he’s playing,” McVay said, “and hopefully we finish the regular season the right way and he can use that to build some.” momentum in the offseason.”
Given his injury history, he cannot realistically be trusted in the future. It’s worth keeping J.K. Dobbins until a later date, but in the meantime you need a solid placeholder. Naming potential replacements for the running back can be tricky as the best names are hard to come by.
| Pos | Running Backs | RB 2021 ranking |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Cam Akers | 182 |
| RB2 | Kyren Williams | – |
| RB3 | Malcolm Brown | 97 |
| RB4 | Ronnie Rivers | – |
Should I start Sutton Week 5?
Start or sit in week 5? In both season fantasy and DFS, Sutton should start.
Should I keep Courtland Sutton? We recommend keeping Courtland Sutton for the time being.
Is Courtland Sutton off to a good start? Sutton’s low fantasy totals in recent games have been frustrating, but given the upside in this matchup, he’s a strong candidate to start in fantasy lineups.
Should I start Jakobi Meyers or Sutton?
Courtland Sutton is the way to go, according to some fancy algorithms. He is projected to score 13.4 fantasy points in Week 11. Fantasy projection data provided by ESPN.
Should Jakobi Meyers start Week 11? Meyers could end up with plenty of targets, so he can still put together a decent performance in points-per-reception formats. But it should not be started in standard leagues. This is not a good matchup for the playmakers in a Pats offense that hasn’t been too dynamic this year.
Should I play Sutton Week 8?
Because of the volume, Sutton isn’t a must-sit for those in deeper leagues, but if you have another option you can trust, go in that direction. Bateman hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 2. He has just two games all year with more than five targets and his season high is seven.
Will Courtland Sutton be good in fantasy? Sutton’s production in 2022 was likely disappointing for the fantasy managers who drafted him. The fifth-year wideout totaled 52 receptions for 688 yards and a TD this season, while averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game in standard leagues.
Should I start Jakobi Meyers Week 11?
Meyers could end up with plenty of targets, so he can still put together a decent performance in points-per-reception formats. But it should not be started in standard leagues. This is not a good matchup for the playmakers in a Pats offense that hasn’t been too dynamic this year.
Does Jakobi Meyers play in Week 1? Update: Jakobi Meyers is active for the Patriots Week 1 game against the Dolphins.
Is Jakobi Meyers a rookie? Jakobi Meyers was signed by the New England Patriots as a rookie free agent on May 2, 2019. He serves as a starting wide receiver. Led team in receptions (4) and receiving yards (55) in season opener at Miami (9/11).
Should Jakobi Meyers start Week 8? Start or sit in week 8? If you are banking on having any of the Chargers of Los Angeles or the receivers of the Chiefs of Kansas City, you may be in a pinch since they were goodbye. If that’s the case, Meyers is a decent flex play. If you have better options, keep it on the bench.
Will Jakobi Meyers play in Week 4?
UPDATE: Jakobi Meyers has been demoted to OUT for Week 4 vs.
Will Jakobi Meyers play week 5? Jakobi Meyers (knee) is active and will play for the New England Patriots in Week 5.
Should I start Jakobi Meyers Week 6?
Fantasy Impact Meyers had a great performance in his return to the field after missing two games with a knee injury. If Meyers is able to adapt, fantasy managers will feel comfortable starting him in Week 6. Meyers is currently ranked as the WR22 in ECR, according to FantasyPros.
Will Jakobi Meyers start Week 6? Update: Jakobi Meyers is active for Week 6. Click here to get up to $100 in bonus cash today with promo code PFN.
Is Jakobi Meyers a good pick?
Meyers leads New England in receptions (24) and receiving yards (321) despite missing two games due to injury. He is by far the most consistent and productive receiver in the Patriots offense, and is quarterback Mac Jones’ most trusted target.
Should I draft Jakobi Meyers 2022? We’re slightly above consensus in ranking Meyers as our WR52 in the 2022 fantasy football rankings, but we still rank him below where he’ll likely end up due to high-end concerns.
Is Jakobi Meyers playing in Week 4?
This week, Meyers had limited participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but unfortunately for those fantasy managers who are into Meyers, he was ruled out on Saturday. Jakobi Meyers has been demoted to outfield for #NEvsGB.
Was Jakobi Meyers injured? Impact Meyers was forced out of last Thursday’s loss to the Bills due to a reported head injury, but it has now been confirmed that the wideout is dealing with a concussion before Monday night’s game against the Cardinals .
Should I play Sutton Week 8?
Because of the volume, Sutton isn’t a must-sit for those in deeper leagues, but if you have another option you can trust, go in that direction. Bateman hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 2. He has just two games all year with more than five targets and his season high is seven.
Should Jakobi Meyers or Sutton start? Courtland Sutton is the way to go, according to some fancy algorithms. He is projected to score 13.4 fantasy points in Week 11. Fantasy projection data provided by ESPN.
Will Courtland Sutton be good in fantasy? Sutton’s production in 2022 was likely disappointing for the fantasy managers who drafted him. The fifth-year wideout totaled 52 receptions for 688 yards and a TD this season, while averaging 6.3 fantasy points per game in standard leagues.
