After a strong Week 1 performance against the Carolina Panthers in which Todd Gurley rushed for 97 yards while averaging 6.9 yards per carry, the Los Angeles Rams running back has fallen off.

He averaged just 3.9 yards on 16 attempts in Week 2, and this past Sunday, Gurley totaled just 43 yards on 14 totes.

With all of the talk about the status of Gurley's knee over the offseason, there was a lot of apprehension surrounding Gurley heading into 2019, as the 25-year-old remained very mum on his health.

So, whenever Gurley struggles for an extended stretch (or, in this case, two games), there are going to be many who wonder if something is wrong.

Now, Gurley will get a chance to right the ship against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has actually had one of the best run defenses in the NFL over the first three weeks, allowing just 69.7 rushing yards per game.

Not even Saquon Barkley was able to get going against the Buccaneers this past Sunday, as the New York Giants superstar accumulated only 10 yards on eight carries before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Two weeks ago, Carolina Panthers star back Christian McCaffrey registered just 37 yards on 16 attempts.

Taking that into consideration, this weekend seems like a rather inauspicious time for Gurley to get back on track, but it also represents a really good test for the Rams' Pro Bowler.

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None of us know how Gurley is feeling. Maybe his knee is giving him problems. Maybe not really doing any rigorous activity over the summer has resulted in his slow start (but how does that explain his solid Week 1?). Or maybe he has just had two bad games. It happens.

Whatever the case may be, he will be going up against a Tampa Bay run defense that has been surprisingly good after finishing 24th in the league in that category a year ago. Perhaps Todd Bowles has turned things around as defensive coordinator.

What we do know is that Gurley, when healthy, is extraordinarily talented and is certainly one of the best halfbacks this game has to offer, so if he has a big game this weekend, it will be a great sign moving forward.

It could also be the type of thing where he feels good some days, and other days, not so much. Potentially chronic injury issues will do that to you (if that is what Gurley has).

Regardless, this is a big test for Gurley, and if anyone can be up for the challenge, it's him.