It is no secret that the Rams are a different team with Kyren Williams in the backfield. The numbers clearly show it. With Williams in the lineup, the Rams are 7-4; without, they are 1-3. He has been one of the NFL’s most effective rushers in 2023 and for the first time since Todd Gurley, Sean McVay has a legitimate power run option in his offense.
But Williams’ production and effort deserve even higher acclaim. Despite his name not being even remotely mentioned in the MVP conversation, Williams is the most valuable player in the league. Valuable is defined as a thing that is of great worth and Williams is just that.
Without Williams, the Rams would have a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft. No offense to Christian McCaffery or Brock Purdy but the MVP race should come down to Lamar Jackson and Williams. It’s clear that the 49ers need Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel to make their offense work. CMC is a desired luxury.
Now, the Rams currently have a 68% chance of making the playoffs, a jump from what was troubled waters, mostly due to their 5-1 record in their last six games – including a 4-1 stretch in the games Williams has played since his return from injury.
The Rams offense runs through Williams. When he rushes for over 80 yards, the Rams are 6-1. When Williams rushes for under 80, the Rams are 1-3, and when Williams is injured, the Rams are 1-3. Oh, and that one win without Williams was a 17-16 win over Seattle. Yes, one point.
How could this be? Offensive production. With Williams on the field, the Rams average 27.2 points per game. With him off the field, the Rams average 14.3 points per game. Williams improves the Rams offensive output by two touchdowns. That’s MVP material.
McCaffery currently leads the NFL with 1,395 rushing yards. Williams is second with 1,057. However, McCaffery played in four more games and since Williams has rushed for over100 yards in six games, Williams is clearly the NFL’s best ball carrier. He’s averaging an NFL-best 96.1 yards per game, higher than even McCaffrey.
Here’s the part where Williams is most valuable. Matthew Stafford’s numbers are a tale of two stories with and without Williams. In the 11 games that Stafford and Williams have played with each other, Stafford has thrown for over 250 yards eight times. In the three games that Stafford played without Williams, Stafford put up 231 yards against Pittsburgh, 162 against Dallas and 190 against Seattle.
Stafford has not thrown for less than 200 yards with Williams on the field. Williams is a direct contributor to wins, points scored, yards gained and overall offensive production. His contributions are already staggering but it’s even more impressive coming from the running back position. His impact without the ball in his hands can be felt and with the ball, it has been seen.
Williams is clearly the most valuable player in the NFL but I doubt he will get his flowers from the award committee. Doesn’t matter, there’s only one thing on Williams’ mind and that’s achieving the Rams’ third Lombardi Trophy.