Blake Corum Shines: Michigan Star’s Explosive Touchdowns Ignite CFP Championship Hopes

Los Angeles—Blake Corum’s late-season surge has turned the Rams’ backfield into one of the NFL’s most intriguing storylines and a goldmine for fantasy managers. The rookie running back followed his breakout 11-yard touchdown that sealed a 41-34 win over Detroit and clinched L.A.’s playoff berth with a dazzling 71-yard, one-score performance on just 11 carries, lifting his yards-per-carry average to 9.3 since Thanksgiving. Now the former Michigan star heads into a primetime Week 16 clash at Seattle riding a three-game touchdown streak and threatening to upend the Seahawks’ 26th-ranked run defense. Head coach Sean McVay has leaned into a two-headed approach with Kyren Williams, but Corum’s home-run speed has given Los Angeles a big-play dimension it lacked early in the year. Over his last 30 touches, 11 have gone for 10-plus yards, the highest explosive-run rate of any rookie back with at least 25 attempts. Seattle’s defensive front has allowed 141.8 rushing yards per game since Week 10, and the Rams’ zone-blocking scheme exploited that weakness for 178 ground yards in the first meeting. Expect offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to script outside-zone looks that put Corum in space against over-pursuing linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Devin Bush. If the Hawks roll an extra safety into the box, Matthew Stafford’s play-action game to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp becomes even deadlier. Fantasy Football Impact: Corum’s snap share remains a modest 38 percent, but his red-zone usage is climbing—three of L.A.’s last five carries inside the 10 have gone to the rookie. Facing a defense surrendering 1.2 rushing TDs per contest, Corum profiles as a high-upside Flex with RB2 potential in PPR and a DFS bargain for slate-breaking upside. Analysts at Sports Illustrated have already bumped him ahead of fellow rookies Kyle Monangai and Zach Charbonnet in Week 16 start-sit rankings. Historical Context: If Corum reaches 400 rushing yards, he will be the first Rams rookie since Cam Akers (2020) to hit that mark despite starting fewer than four games. His current 7.1 yards per touch would also eclipse Todd Gurley’s franchise rookie record (6.0). Injury Watch: Corum logged a full practice Tuesday after briefly exiting the Lions game with leg cramps. The medical staff cleared him with no limitations, and McVay confirmed the team will “continue to feed the hot hand.” What’s Next: Kickoff at Lumen Field is Thursday, 5:15 p.m. PT on Amazon Prime Video. A victory keeps L.A. alive for the NFC West crown and positions Corum for a featured playoff role. With postseason tickets already moving briskly, Rams fans—and SEO trackers—should expect “Blake Corum” to remain a top-searched term through January. Keywords: Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams, Seahawks vs Rams, Week 16, rookie running back, fantasy football, touchdown streak, NFC playoff race, Kyren Williams, Sean McVay.