Cam Akers got a full dose of carries last week against the Cardinals, attempting a career-high 21 runs. Sean McVay went right back to him against the Patriots on Thursday night, too, giving him the start at running back in Week 14.
Akers opened the night with a 35-yard carry, then on the second drive, ripped off runs of 14 yards, 9 yards, 6 yards and 11 yards to keep the Rams moving down the field. At the end of the first quarter, he had 84 rushing yards and a 16-yard reception, giving him 100 yards from scrimmage.
His 84 yards on the ground are the most by a Rams player since Marshall Faulk in 2001. They’re also the second-most allowed in the first quarter by the Rams in the last 20 years. Melvin Gordon had 93 in 2017, but Akers came close to topping that number.
Cam Akers had 84 rush yards in the 1st quarter, the most by a Rams player in the 1st quarter of a game since Marshall Faulk in 2001 (143 rush yds vs Panthers).
That's also the 2nd-most rush yards allowed by the Patriots in the 1st quarter of a game in the last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/WKAz9h1sJt
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 11, 2020
The Patriots had no answer for the rookie running back as he continually gashed the defense with long run after long run. Akers has never rushed for 100 yards, but he’s poised to do so tonight.