The bye week came at a good time for the Los Angeles Rams as they’ve been hampered with injuries through the first third of the 2024 season.
The Rams have dealt with injuries to core offensive players and their secondary, forcing head coach Sean McVay and the coaching staff to play some of their younger and more inexperienced players. Hopefully the time off did the players some good, though, as they’ll return in Week 7 to host the Las Vegas Raiders.
Like Los Angeles, Las Vegas has struggled on both sides of the football in recent weeks but got weaker on paper after they dealt away Davante Adams to the New York Jets. However, even without Adams the Raiders aren’t a team the Rams can afford to overlook given their own lack of success this year.
Rams Offense vs. Raiders Defense
Los Angeles finally got some good news this week when McVay announced that Cooper Kupp was returning to practice and making progress with his ankle injury. But after a week of limited practices, Kupp is unlikely to suit up against the Raiders, giving it one more week to make sure he’s healthy.
Matthew Stafford had done well finding players like Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell through the air, so look for them to be his main targets again.
Las Vegas’ defense starts and ends with Maxx Crosby who is having another strong season despite dealing with a lingering ankle injury. The Raiders secondary has also quietly been fairly stout against the pass, though a healthy Kupp should prove to be the challenge.
Meanwhile, Kyren Williams should see the bulk of the running back snaps and has a good shot of extending his rushing touchdown streak.
Rams Defense vs. Raiders Offense
As mentioned earlier, the Raiders offense got significantly weaker after shipping Adams out. Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers was also ruled out due to an ankle injury which means Brock Bowers will get all the targets he can handle from Aidan O’Connell. Los Angeles’ defense has held up well against opposing tight ends, though Bowers is no ordinary player at the position.
Jared Verse has been one of the few bright spots on the defense and should get his opportunities to get after O’Connell who isn’t a threat to take off when the pocket collapses. Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young are all in good positions to wreak some havoc as well.
Keys To Victory
1.Feed Kyren Williams early and often
When the Rams have committed to the run game, particularly in the red zone, success has usually followed as Williams is tied for the league lead in touchdowns.
1.Bracket Brock Bowers defensively
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula and the defense would be wise to focus their attention on Bowers who can cause problems with the football in his hands. The Rams should dare the Raiders to throw to anyone else besides Bowers.
