RAMS (1-2) at COLTS (2-1)
When: 10 a.m. Sunday
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV/Radio: FOX (Ch. 11)/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 233, 388
Line: Rams by 1
Notable injury designations: Rams: LT Alaric Jackson (hamstring; questionable), TE Tyler Higbee (Achilles; questionable), DB John Johnson III (face; questionable), WR Ben Skowronek (Achilles; questionable). Colts: C Ryan Kelly (concussion; out), OT Bernhard Raimann (concussion; out), DT DeForest Buckner (groin/back; questionable), OG Quenton Nelson (toe; questionable), QB Sam Ehlinger (shoulder; questionable)
What’s at stake? The Rams are looking to end their two-game losing streak and return to SoFi Stadium for a three-game homestand sitting at .500, rather than 1-3. With the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles set to come to Inglewood in Week 5, followed by the surprisingly plucky Arizona Cardinals and always-formidable Pittsburgh Steelers, it would behoove the Rams to pick up a win now and not risk falling into a hole. The Colts, meanwhile, can sense opportunity in the soft AFC South and maintain their grip on the division lead with a win.
Who’s better? The Rams have the better overall balance, with an offense that’s doing a better job moving the ball behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and a defense that ranks higher in points allowed (20.7 to 23.3) and yards per game (No. 7 to No. 23). Both have young rosters, but the Colts are relying on rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and are down lead running back Jonathan Taylor as he sits on the PUP list.
Matchup to watch: RB Zack Moss vs. the Rams’ defensive front. Even without Taylor, the Colts have been able to move the ball successfully on the ground with Moss in the backfield. After missing the opening game of the year with a broken arm, Moss is averaging 105 rushing yards per game and 4.4 per carry. The Rams have been better than expected against the run this year, limiting opponents to 103.7 yards per game, but have also been susceptible to outside rushes since the preseason.
Rams win if: They take advantage of the Colts’ banged-up offensive line and put pressure on the rookie Richardson, with four or more sacks. … They get their run game going after a quiet outing in Cincinnati, with Kyren Williams averaging more than four yards per carry to balance the offense. … The offensive line overcomes the potential absence of Jackson and keeps Stafford clean, limiting the damage to one sack.
Fantasy sleeper: Kyren Williams. The second-year back was quiet in his second game as the Rams’ starter, but he still played all 55 offensive snaps of Week 3. His lack of output was the result of the Rams’ game plan against the Bengals, while he should get more opportunities to carry the ball against the Colts.
Prediction: Rams 27, Colts 19.
Beat reporter’s record: 1-2 overall, 1-2 against the spread.