It was just one game, but Todd Gurley has the attention of opponents.
The St. Louis Rams rookie running back galloped for 146 rushing yards -- 161 scrimmage yards -- in his first career start in Week 4. In just his second game back from ACL surgery, Gurley is already being compared to the likes of Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Carlos Hyde by NFL veterans.
"Coming off a 160-yard performance, it's not going to be hard to get anybody's attention as far as his ability," Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji said, via the Press-Gazette. "He just runs with an attitude. He reminds me a lot of Hyde and Adrian and Marshawn. It's hard to explain, but they run with an attitude and they're looking to finish. Some running backs are more agile than others and looking to make you miss, but these guys do both."
Gurley was slowed in the first half last week, but burst out in the second, gashing the Arizona Cardinals for runs of 20, 23, 30 and 52 yards. When he gets in space, the rookie runner can blow by defenders with subtle moves like Peterson or plow them over a la Lynch.
Despite playing in just two games this season, Gurley's 155 yards rushing are already more than some notable veterans struggling out of the gate: LeSean McCoy (146); Lamar Miller (131); Lynch (128); C.J. Anderson (117); DeMarco Murray (47).
The Packers' defense has solidified after watching Matt Forte gallop all over them in the season opener. Led by Clay Matthews and a rejuvenated Raji, Green Bay has held Lynch (41 yards), Jamaal Charles (49) and Hyde (20) in check the past three weeks.
Now it's Gurley's turn to try.Â
