After losing a close loss to the Green Bay Packers and coming off their bye week, the Rams are looking to beat a weakened Raiders team that has been in the news for off-the-field reasons.
On Tuesday, the Raiders traded superstar wide receiver Davante Adams to the Jets to reunite him with his former gunslinger Aaron Rodgers. This will be a huge loss as the Raiders already don’t have many great weapons. In two seasons with Las Vegas, Adams put up 2,660 yards and 22 touchdowns and led all receivers in touchdowns in 2022. At 2-4, the Raiders haven’t been anywhere near consistent.
The good news for the Rams is that former offensive player of the year Cooper Kupp is practicing and has a chance to suit up on Sunday. In the Rams season opener against the Detroit Lions, Kupp racked up 110 yards, 14 receptions and a touchdown. If Kupp can’t play, the Rams will have to continue relying on receivers Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and Tyler Johnson.
The Raiders just came off a lackluster, noncompetitive loss against the Steelers, losing 32-13. Quarterback Aiden O’Connell threw for 227 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
The Raiders have an identity crisis as they’ve switched quarterbacks from Gardner Minshew to 2023 draft pick Aiden O’Connell after four weeks. With a changed offense, Las Vegas will aim for a stark turnaround.
L.A.’s loss to the Packers was questionable as Green Bay went 1-for-8 on third down, had five punts, committed seven penalties and had five fewer possession minutes than the Rams. On defense, the Packers are first in the league in turnovers forced as they’ve caused nine thus far, with free agent signing Xavier McKinney tallying five interceptions. The offense is coming up with 400 yards per game which ranks top-four in the league.
The key for the Rams this week and going forward will need to be limiting turnovers. Against the Packers, the Rams allowed three sacks, a fumble lost and an interception at Lambeau Field which isn’t a receipt of success. Not to mention the Rams’ defense ranks in the bottom five in yards allowed as they’ve allowed 373.8 per game.
Recently, the Raiders defensive line has been thriving. The biggest threat on the front seven has to be the duo of Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Crosby and Wilkins have combined for 7.5 sacks even with Crosby missing a game due to injury.
The Rams will be heavily relying on star running back Kyren Williams once again as the Raiders have allowed 140.3 rushing yards per game which is the 10th most in the league. On the season Williams has rushed for 360 yards including six touchdowns. Against the Packers, Williams went for 102 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Without his main weapons, Stafford threw for over 260 yards against Green Bay. A healthy Kupp would be a valuable addition to the Rams’ offense, however, if he is not available, they’ll have to continue to rely on other weapons.