Rams vs. Giants Monday Night Football: Expectations for Cadillac Williams

Cadillac Williams is likely to start at running back for the St. Louis Rams tonight in place of the injured Steven Jackson. The Rams are hopeful that Jackson can play, but his injured right quad will likely keep him from doing full-time work even if he does enter the game.

Williams stepped in during the Rams' Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and performed admirably. The seventh-year veteran rushed 19 times for 91 yards and caught five passes for 49 more. While he's not explosive and isn't as solid as he used to be, Williams knows his way around the running back position in the NFL.

Though he has lots of experience, the Auburn product is only 29 years old and showed that he still has some slashing ability against a very tough Eagles' defense last week. I think because of that performance, the Rams will be inclined to sit Jackson this week and let his quad heal fully so it doesn't become an injury that lingers for the rest of the season.

In Week 1 the Giants gave up just 74 rushing yards in a 28-14 loss to the Washington Redskins. New York allowed just 2.8 yards per rush—a number the Rams will certainly have to better tonight.

While the Giants have a secondary that has been decimated by injuries, St. Louis will almost certainly have to establish the run to keep the Giants from pressuring second-year quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford can be successful tonight if Williams is able to get it going on the ground.

The Cadillac will have to put himself in gear tonight if the Rams want to escape from MetLife Stadium with a win. Bradford will need him on his game running the ball, as well as providing a safety valve in the passing game.

Williams is capable of putting together a good performance against the Giants. After what he did last week, I think he'll be solid again tonight.