NEW ORLEANS – Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum ran wild on the Caesars Superdome turf on Sunday, helping Los Angeles set its season-high in rushing yards with 156.

Coming into the game, the Saints were allowing 5.0 yards per carry (second-most in the NFL), and Los Angeles exploited that weakness with old-fashioned, hard-nosed football. The offensive line created gaps that the Rams’ backs hit hard and then fell forward after contact for additional yards. Los Angeles averaged a season-high 5.9 yards per carry on the day (excluding the two downs at the end).

“Kyren’s energy was outstanding,” said head coach Sean McVay. “…When he put his foot in the ground, he was really poised…and did a great job of slash running at the second and third levels. The offensive line … and the tight ends did a good job of catching him to the second and third levels.”

After being shut out in the first half, everything clicked in the second half, with the Rams scoring on three of their four complete offensive attempts behind their dangerous running back duo. Williams carried the ball 15 times for 104 yards, while Corum added 42 yards on eight attempts in the Rams’ 21-14 win over New Orleans. Los Angeles placed a clear emphasis on the ground game, and everyone from the offensive line to the receivers committed to flawless execution in that aspect of the game.

The Rams ran the ball 27 times compared to 24 passes, and Williams and Corum combined for six runs of 10 or more yards, which tied the Rams’ season high. There have been few explosive runs in LA this season, but against the Saints they created gaping holes – Williams and Corum didn’t miss them.

“It felt like I was myself, myself, and I was out there playing like that,” Williams said. “… Had great energy and I distributed it throughout the team.”

The Rams’ first two runs of the game went to Corum, who picked up nine and ten yards in succession, setting the tone. Later, Williams scored on an outside run upfield and pushed through arm tackles to break a game-long 17-yard run that gave him flashes of his record-setting rookie season last year. After fumbling twice against Philadelphia a week ago, Williams redeemed himself in a big way against the Saints.