5 takeaways from snore fest that was Super Bowl 53
By Kareem Gantt
4. Todd Gurley II was more effective on a milk carton
Speaking of pulling a disappearing act, what was up with Todd Gurley II?
Yes, he was not 100 percent, but, along with Goff, he is the engine that makes the Rams high-octane offense go, and if he’s stalled out, the Rams offense is stuck on I-285.
That’s exactly what happened tonight.
Gurley rushed just 10 times for a grand total of — wait for it — 35 yards on 3.5 yards per carry, the very definition of melting under the hot glare of the Super Bowl. Unlike Goff, Gurley had a reasonable excuse for why he performed so poorly.
He was hurt.
But, that excuse takes a hit, somewhat, when you decide to suit up and play. On the biggest stage of the season, and when his teammates needed him to establish the tempo, he was on the side of a milk carton with the question, “Have you seen me?”
With Gurley basically ineffective, they could have surely turned to C.J. Anderson, right?
Wrong.
He was just as much a non-factor as Gurley, rushing seven times for just 22 yards. It was a surprisingly woeful performance by the Rams backfield, and with the running game stymied, Goff had no support and was like a sitting duck. The hope in L.A. is that Gurley can get healthy, and use this performance as fuel to run all over opponents next season