The Rams crept up a bit overall in the major power rankings last week during the bye. How will the national media respond to Sunday's 24-6 defensive masterclass over the Browns?
| Average ranking (# of rankings) | 12.56 (9) |
| Average change from last week | +2.63 |
| Highest ranking (source) | 11th (multiple sources) |
| Lowest ranking (source) | 19th (PFF) |
| Biggest positive change (source) | +6 (multiple sources) |
| Biggest negative change (source) | -1 (FOX Sports) |
Todd Gurley has gained 150 yards from scrimmage in three straight games. The last Rams player to do that? Marshall Faulk in 2002.
Painfully obvious statement of this week's Rankings: This Todd Gurley kid is exciting. Watching him motor through the Browns' second level on his second career touchdown, I was not only struck by his immense talent, but also the possibility that he is already the second-best running back in the league (behind only Le'Veon Bell). In this era, RBs are at their best in their first five or six years, a career signpost Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch have already run past. Next up: the 49ers team that Beast Mode just chewed up.
CBS Sports (Prisco): 12th (18th)
Don't look now, but they are a legitimate wild-card contender. The running game with Todd Gurley is perfect for a Jeff Fisher-coached team.
CBS Sports (Kirwan): 11th (12th)
The Rams are rounding into the team that Jeff Fisher wanted. Now one game out of the division lead, they need Nick Foles and the passing game to keep pace.
Yahoo! Sports: 11th (15th)
Are there 10 players in the NFL who are more exciting to watch right now than Gurley? He's becoming like a young Adrian Peterson, where everything should stop whenever he gets handed the ball.
Pro Football Talk: 11th (11th)
It’s probably time for teams playing the Rams to start game-planning to stop Todd Gurley.
FOX Sports: 12th (11th)
Running back Todd Gurley is making a strong case for Offensive Rookie of the Year already. His ability to carry the offense on the ground has been impressive, but the Rams would be wise to get him more involved in the passing game going forward -- he would thrive with added work in the passing game like we see with Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
Pro Football Focus: 19th (20th)
Of the six rookie offensive tackles with at least 100 pass blocks, Rob Havenstein is the only one to not allow a sack this season.