The Los Angeles Rams achieved a resounding victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 16 on the strength of their burgeoning running game led by Cam Akers, who rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the best performance of his career.
Head coach Sean McVay was asked about Akers’ effort in the game, and what the young running back has done over the course of the year that led him to such an outstanding showing. McVay made it clear that Akers’ work ethic and coachability have played a major role in his development.
“I think he’s just gone about his business the right way,” Mcvay explained. [He] really attacked every single day, like I mentioned yesterday, he deserves a ton of credit. I thought guys played well around him yesterday and then I also think [Assistant Head Coach/ Tight Ends Coach] Thomas Brown’s leadership for that group has been really helpful. It was great to be able to see Cam play the way that we know he’s capable of.
“And I thought he played really well against the [Green Bay] Packers, we just had a lot more limited opportunities. But he’s doing a nice job. I think it says a lot about him to be able to kind of go through the things that he’s gone through individually this year and to be where he’s at and continuing to play the way that he’s played is a real credit to him.”
Akers’ standout performance was a long time coming, and it wasn’t without some early-season struggles that he emerged as a viable candidate for a featured role in the Rams’ offense. With more experience under his belt and a full head of steam after an impressive 2022 campaign, Akers should be a candidate for a breakout campaign next season in Los Angeles’ impressive offense.