Gurley is #2 in the NFL in rushing attempts so he is used more than any other back in the NFL. The reason he is used because the rams get a lot of first downs because they don't run just to run. They run if it allows them to get first downs. In this game, the running game was bad and the penalties were bad.
Bad runs were killing drives and putting the down and distance unfavorable as were the penalties.
When you look at the drive chart, the Rams got in an early hole because
1) Ineffective Running Game
2) Penalties
Drive #1
1) 1 yard run - Drive killer settled for field goal after having good field position
Drive #2
2) 9 yard run
3) 2 yard run first down
4) -1 yard run Drive killer punt
Drive #3
ten yard penalty Drive killer leads to poor down and distance and interception.
Drive #4
9 passes and moving the ball well
5) 0 yard run - Another drive killer field goal
Drive #5
5 years penalty - Drive Killer leads to punt
Drive #6
5 year penalty - Another bad down and distance and interception
Drive #7
6) -5 yard run - another drive killer that leads to safety
AT THIS POINT IN THE GAME, THE CADENCE OF THE GAME IS ESTABLISHED AND WHILE THE RUN WAS BETTER LATER IN THE GAME BECAUSE THE BEARS WERE PLAYING PASS, THE RAMS WERE IN A HOLE. The problems were two fold. Ineffective running game and penalties. When you don't get first downs because of that, there is no flow. The best movement of the ball was when the Rams had 9 straight passes and got the field goal.
