The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-4 after a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and the mood around the team is turning fast. A 28-6 hole in the first half left them with too much to erase, even after they pushed back in the second half. Klint Kubiak’s team has now dropped four straight.
That kind of skid was always going to spark a reaction, and Raiders fans wasted no time letting the frustration show. This is a group known for being loud and relentless, and the latest loss only gave them more to unload about online.
There were still a few bright spots worth noting, even in a game where the Rams piled up 35 points. Nakobe Dean came away with an interception on a deflection and helped set up a Raiders score that kept the game from completely slipping away.
The defense has been through a rough stretch, but fans liked the effort it showed. One post put it bluntly: “Nakobe Dean.
The best John Spytek transaction in his GM career. Defensive MVP for the Raiders.
#RaiderNation”
Ashton Jeanty also gave the offense something to work with, though his usage kept drawing questions. He ran eight times for 15 yards, but he was much more involved as a receiver, catching eight passes for 61 yards and a touchdown.
That balance didn’t sit well with everyone, especially fans who want to see more production on the ground from the No. 6 overall pick from two years ago. One reaction summed up the sarcasm: “Ashton Jeanty is the best WIDE RECEIVER the Raiders got.
Hahahaha”
Kirk Cousins drew plenty of heat as well. The 38-year-old quarterback went 44-for-295 with two touchdowns, but that wasn’t enough to quiet the calls for a change.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, remains on the bench, and some fans are already pushing to see what he can do. One post captured that impatience: “Moving the pocket for Kirk Cousins….
Klint just play Mendoza man”
Tucker also put together a strong day, finishing with five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. It was a productive outing in a contract year, and fans are clearly noticing how important he’s becoming in the offense.
For the Rams, Puka Nacua was questionable coming in but still played through the injury and helped close the door on the Raiders. He finished with eight receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown, plus two carries for 10 yards.
The way he kept finding space bothered Raiders fans, especially those watching the secondary struggle again. One post didn’t mince words: “Raiders defensive backs are terrible.
Letting Puka do and go wherever he wants”
The Raiders now turn to the New York Jets next week, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM EST.
In Other News...
Raiders Defensive Line Shuffle Could Matter More Than Fans Realize
The Raiders Week 7 inactive list brought a quiet but meaningful tweak to the interior of their defense, with the team setting its depth before facing the Rams. Las Vegas also listed Aidan OConnell as the emergency third quarterback, but the bigger roster note was up front, where the defensive tackle rotation will look different than it did a week ago.
Tim Keenan III was elevated from the practice squad and is set for his Raiders debut, a move that adds fresh legs to a group trying to hold up against a Rams offense that has Puka Nacua available. The timing matters for Las Vegas, too, because Thomas Booker IV and Jonah Laulu are inactive, leaving the Raiders to manage the middle of the line with a thinner margin than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Have A New Worry About The Rams Passing Game
The Raiders preparation for the Rams just got a little trickier, because Los Angeles is still holding out hope that Puka Nacua will be available for the matchup despite the calf issue that had him on the injury report. Nacua was feeling better Saturday and is now being treated as a game-time decision, which matters even more for a Rams passing game that already lost Davante Adams to a hamstring injury.
For Las Vegas, the concern is less about any one name than what happens if Nacua suits up and becomes the centerpiece of the Rams aerial attack. With Adams unavailable, Los Angeles is leaning harder on the passing game than it otherwise would, and the Raiders will have to plan for the possibility that Nacua is on the field after all. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Have A Real Chance To Exploit One Rams Weakness
The Raiders head into Week 7 with a matchup that could tilt in their favor if they can press a Rams roster dealing with injury issues at wide receiver. Las Vegas has reasons to like this spot, too, especially with its own tight end group looking like a usable part of the passing game and the Rams potentially forced to lean more heavily on their tight ends to keep the offense moving.
For the Raiders, that creates an opening to attack a weakened spot while still leaning into what has been one of their more workable personnel groupings. Michael Mayer and Dylan Laube are both names to watch in that conversation, since the game could push Las Vegas toward more involvement from the tight end position and more opportunity for backfield help in passing situations, even if the exact shape of that usage remains to be seen. [Read more 🡒]