The Los Angeles Rams are the antithesis of a team that won only four games the year before. On offense, the 2016 Rams finished dead last in points and yards with a minus 170-point differential. They missed the playoffs for the 13th straight season, leading to the firing of Jeff Fisher.
One month later, the organization hired Sean McVay as Fisher's replacement, making him the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. Under his guidance, the Rams have snapped their postseason drought and enter Week 17 shooting for win No. 12. Surprisingly, the biggest attribute to their success has come on offense; something that hasn't defined a Rams team in over a decade.
No other team in the NFL has combined to score more points than these Rams. While McVay and second-year quarterback Jared Goff warrant credit, there's been one player far more deserving of league-wide recognition, and his name is Todd Gurley.
Gurley has generated MVP buzz thanks to his stellar play this year. Only three running backs - Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Shaun Alexander - have won the award since 2005. With those three setting the standard, Gurley's back is against the wall, and while he merits consideration, he isn't likely to win MVP. Here's why:
| Player | Carries | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | YPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gurley | 279 | 1305 | 13 | 4.7 |
| Peterson | 348 | 2097 | 12 | 6.0 |
| Tomlinson | 348 | 1815 | 28 | 5.2 |
| Alexander | 370 | 1880 | 27 | 5.1 |
With the Rams deciding to rest Gurley for Week 17, the third-year back will finish short of 300 carries. That's significant, but only in terms of comparing him to these heralded players. All three won the MVP award backed by season-high totals in separate categories, but were also recognized for their record-setting performances.
In 2012, Peterson finished eight rushing yards short of Eric Dickerson's NFL record of 2,105 set in 1984. Still, Peterson etched himself into the record books as the seventh player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards. For his part, Tomlinson's 28 rushing touchdowns (31 in total) in 2006 led him to become the first player ever to reach those totals. While Alexander failed to set a record, he did lead the league in touchdowns and rushing yards in 2005, coming one score short of matching Tomlinson.
Furthermore, Gurley's inability to reach the 300-carry milestone is a byproduct of the significant change in style and play at the running back position. Unfortunately, this leaves Gurley at a disadvantage. While it's fair to assume Gurley could match the aforementioned rushing numbers if given the opportunity, times are different. This year, only one running back, Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell, will finish with over 300 carries. In 2005, 2006, and 2012 combined, 25 running backs carried the ball over 300 times.
While Gurley won't match these totals, he has an edge in one category: receiving yards. Over the years, the NFL has turned into a pass-heavy league, which in turn has resulted in backs catching the ball more often.
| Player | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gurley | 788 | 6 | 87 |
| Peterson | 217 | 1 | 51 |
| Tomlinson | 508 | 3 | 80 |
| Alexander | 78 | 1 | 29 |
Factoring in yards from scrimmage, Gurley (2,093) eclipses the 2,000-yard mark. Peterson and Tomlinson still have him beat, but the Rams star will finish with more yards than Alexander (1,958), just not as many touchdowns.
The Rams' rise to glory has a lot to do with Gurley. There's little doubt he's their MVP, but as long as Tom Brady is around, it will be difficult for any player, let alone a talented running back, to overcome quarterback bias voters. Peterson, Tomlinson, and Alexander are the first three players voters will compare Gurley to, and with Brady the only other legitimate (and healthy) MVP candidate this season, the 23-year-old is a long shot to win. That doesn't mean Gurley is not worthy of the hardware, just don't expect it to happen.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
