Week 9 at New Orleans Saints
Todd Gurley rushed 25 times for 114 yards in the Rams’ Week 8 win over the Packers and also added six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Gurley put together another unbelievable performance but all anyone could talk about following the game was how he allowed himself to be tackled inside the five-yard line in the closing seconds of the game when he could have easily walked into the end zone for another score. That one play killed bettors who laid the points with the Rams, bettors who played the over, and of course, any Gurley owners who needed the added points. Nevertheless, it was an unselfish moment for the league’s best running back. Gurley will be our No. 1 back again on Sunday when the Rams travel to New Orleans for a potential shootout with the Saints.
Week 8 v. Green Bay Packers
Todd Gurley rushed 15 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns while also catching four-of-five targets for 23 yards and another score in the Rams’ Week 7 win over the 49ers. Owners who had the No. 1 overall pick and decided to draft Le’Veon Bell over Gurley have to be miserable. Gurley was held in check in the first half but then did whatever he wanted to against San Francisco in the final two quarters. He now has 14 touchdowns on the season and is our RB1 for Week 8. The Rams host the Packers on Sunday.
Week 7 at San Francisco 49ers
Todd Gurley rushed 28 times for a whopping 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Rams’ Week 6 win over the Broncos. It was the second week in a row Denver’s defense allowed a running back to rush for over 200 yards (Isaiah Crowell of the Jets accomplished the feat a week prior). The effort was a new career high in rushing yards for Gurley, who averaged 7.42 yards per carry. An absolute beast for the league’s last remaining unbeaten team, Gurley is our RB1 for Week 7 when the Rams visit the 49ers.
Week 6 at Denver Broncos
Todd Gurley rushed 22 times for 77 yards and three touchdowns while also catching 4-of-5 targets for 36 yards in the Rams’ Week 6 win over the Seahawks. Seattle actually held Gurley in check (3.5 yards per carry) but the running back found the end zone three times. He’s a monster RB1 and will continue to be the focal point of Sean McVay’s offense. Ranked as our RB1 for Week 6, Gurley is a must-start every week.
Week 5 at Seattle Seahawks
Todd Gurley rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries and caught four-of-six targets for an additional 73 yards and a touchdown in the Rams’ Week 4 win over the Vikings. Some of Gurley’s highlights included a touchdown reception on a wheel route in the first half and a 56-yard catch-and-run in the second. He also sealed the game for L.A. with a 10-yard run late in the fourth quarter. A must-start every week, Gurley ranks as our RB2 for Week 5 as the Rams head to Seattle on Sunday.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Todd Gurley rushed 23 times for 105 yards and one touchdown while catching five passes for 51 yards in the Rams’ Week 3 win over the Chargers. He converted a goal-line carry into his fourth touchdown of the year and continues to be the focal point of Sean McVay’s outstanding offense. Matchup-proof in all formats, make sure Gurley is in your lineup for Week 4 when the Rams host the Vikings on Thursday night. He is our No. 2 RB for this week.
Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Todd Gurley rushed 19 times for 42 yards and 3 touchdowns while also catching 3 passes for 31 additional yards in the Rams’ Week 2 win over the Cardinals. As expected, Gurley was the focal point of Sean McVay’s offense. Despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter due to cramps, the 24-year-old was a fantasy stud. Gurley is matchup-proof and needs to be in your lineup for Week 3 when the Rams host the Chargers. He’s our No. 2 ranked RB this week.
Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Todd Gurley rushed for 108 yards on 23 carries while catching three of his five targets for 39 yards and one touchdown in the Rams’ Week 1 victory over the Raiders. Gurley caught a 19-yard shovel pass from Jared Goff in the first quarter and took it to the house, which was his lone score on the night. Sean McVay then fed his bell cow back down the stretch as the Rams put the game away in the second half. Gurley is matchup-proof and should be in your lineup every week. He’s our top RB for Week 2 as the Rams host the Cardinals.
Week 1 at Oakland Raiders
Todd Gurley finished as fantasy’s RB20 for 2016 but had a massive rebound in 2017 thanks in large part to Sean McVay. In McVay’s offense, Gurley finished as fantasy’s No. 1 overall player last season. For the first time in his three-year career, Gurley was featured in both the running and passing game. He will once again be the focal point of the Rams’ offense this season. Ranked as our No. 1 RB for Week 1, Gurley is a must-start against a horrible Oakland defense on Monday night.
Fantasy Upside
Todd Gurley flourished under new head coach Sean McVay in 2017. After rushing for only 885 yards with six touchdowns in his final year under Jeff Fisher, Gurley produced 1,305 yards with 13 scores under McVay a year ago. He was also a huge part of the Rams' passing game, catching 64 passes on 87 targets for 788 yards and six touchdowns. Armed with a new contract he received this offseason, Gurley returns as the focal point of McVay's explosive offense.
Fantasy Downside
The Rams' future opponents will certainly look at what the Falcons did to them in the Wild Card round last year as a blueprint to stop McVay's offense. Atlanta set out to stop Gurley in the passing game, especially on early downs, and wound up holding the running back to just 10 receiving yards on four receptions. Still, Gurley rushed 14 times for 101 yards in that game so it's not as if the Falcons wiped him out of McVay's game plan. Plus, opponents game planned to stop Gurley weekly last year and he still finished as fantasy's RB1. The only downside with Gurley is an injury, but isn't that the case with any player?
2018 Bottom Line
One of the smartest things McVay did a year ago was turn Gurley loose in the passing game. He thrived as a pass-catcher, especially on early downs, where McVay knows he has an advantage against opponents planning to stop the run. Gurley is a complete back and our No. 1 ranked RB heading into the season. He should be the first player selected off your board and will be worth the investment.
