Raiders Vs. Rams Week 7 Preview: Looking To Snap Losing Streak Following Bye Week

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. After a week of limited practices, Kupp could potentially suit up against the Raiders which would obviously give the offense a massive boost, although he is expected to be a game-time decision.

Matthew Stafford had done well finding players like Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell through the air, but getting Kupp back would do wonders for the Rams’ offense.

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 Cooper Kupp early and often

Although Kupp might be limited if he plays, feeding him early and often would be a smart move to keep the offense ahead of schedule. The veteran wideout is still an excellent route runner and separator, so Stafford should be looking his way more often than not.

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.