Rams' Anderson: 'I'm the freshest running back' left in playoffs

Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson has steamrolled defenses since becoming a late-season addition to the NFC title hopefuls, and the veteran believes he's just getting started ahead of Sunday's conference championship game against the New Orleans Saints.

"I'm the freshest running back in the league," Anderson said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "I'm not gonna say they're still fresh, but I'm fresher than Mark (Ingram), Alvin (Kamara), and Todd (Gurley), for sure."

Despite adding bulk since his days as the Denver Broncos' lead back, Anderson has looked better than ever behind the Rams' talented offensive line.

The veteran back racked up 299 rushing yards over the final two games of the regular season while Gurley was sidelined. Then he ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns during last week's divisional-round win over the Dallas Cowboys, even with the reigning Offensive Player of the Year back in the lineup.

Before joining the Rams, Anderson saw limited action with the Carolina Panthers in 2018 (24 carries in nine games), and he didn't even step onto the field for the Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile, Gurley and Kamara topped 200 regular-season carries, and Ingram came close to 150 totes.

Anderson's inactivity this season has him feeling capable of hitting a gear that worn-down defenders won't be able to match.

"I think it helps a lot," Anderson said. "I've played over 1,000 snaps, 600-700 snaps in this league and when you get to this point of the season, you start to wave back and I'm out there flying around on practice, just being a kid, having fun. I look faster than everyone else, part of it because I'm fresh."

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