The Rams head into Week 7 trying to steer clear of a 2-5 start, and the matchup with the Raiders looks far less comfortable on paper than it might have a few weeks ago. Injuries are all over the roster, and that changes the conversation at almost every spot on the field.
Start with quarterback, where the usual edge the Rams carry may not be there. Matthew Stafford has not been at his best this season, and Kirk Cousins has simply been sharper.
Cousins’ 0.14 EPA per pass is seven times higher than Stafford’s in 2026, and he’s also been the fourth-best quarterback under pressure this season, while Stafford sits 23rd. Stafford still has the higher ceiling, but the Raiders get the nod here.
Advantage: Raiders
The ground game tilts the other way. The Raiders do not have the offensive structure to really support Ashton Jeanty, and if Mike Washington is unavailable, they could be thin at running back too.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, still has Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, two of the steadiest pieces on the offense when the Rams are able to run the ball. Advantage: Rams
Wide receiver is the one spot where the answer changes depending on Puka Nacua’s status. If Nacua is available, the Rams clearly own the advantage.
Without him, Los Angeles would be leaning on Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield and Jordan Whittington. The Raiders’ group of Tre Tucker, Cody White and Jalen Nailor is not exactly imposing either, which leaves this one even if Nacua is out, with the Raiders possibly holding a slight edge.
Advantage: Even
At tight end, the Raiders have the more dangerous collection by a wide margin. Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer give Las Vegas one of the best tight end duos in the NFL, and the offense runs through that position.
The Rams’ Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson make for a solid group, but they do not match what the Raiders bring. Advantage: Raiders
Up front, Los Angeles should be in better shape. The Raiders have upside on their offensive line, with Kolton Miller at left tackle, Spencer Burford and Tyler Linderbaum added in free agency, and Jackson Powers-Johnson at left guard.
But Linderbaum has been a disappointment this season. The Rams are set to get Alaric Jackson back from suspension and should have their starting line intact.
Advantage: Rams
The defensive line battle is tighter, but the Rams still get the edge. They came into the season viewed as a deep unit, and that group has already been stretched with Myles Garrett out.
Now Kobie Turner and Poona Ford are on injured reserve, which only adds to the pressure. Both teams have a star edge presence in Maxx Crosby and Byron Young, but Aaron Donald remains the best player on the interior.
Advantage: Rams
Linebacker belongs to Las Vegas. Nate Landman is out with a concussion, which could push more Shaun Dolac into the mix and force the Rams to lean on Eric Kendricks off the practice squad.
The Raiders have the clearer advantage with Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean. Advantage: Raiders
The secondary still swings toward Los Angeles, even without Trent McDuffie. Hezekiah Masses opened the season well but has cooled off, Eric Stokes has struggled, and the Rams have gotten solid production from Josh Wallace.
They’ll still have Jaylen Watson available, too, and Quentin Lake has been playing well. Advantage: Rams
Special teams also leans to the Raiders, and this one comes with a little extra sting for Los Angeles. Joe DeCamillis is on the Raiders’ staff, along with kicker Matt Gay and long snapper Alex Ward, making this feel like a Rams special teams revenge game if there ever were such a thing. Advantage: Raiders
In Other News...
Puka Nacuas Rams Future Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
Puka Nacua has already become one of the defining young pieces in the Rams offense, but his long-term place in Los Angeles is suddenly coming into sharper focus for all the wrong reasons. The team is reportedly reconsidering whether to move forward with a contract extension for the wide receiver, a reflection of both his injury history and concerns about how much availability he can guarantee over time.
Nacua has missed multiple games this season, and the Rams are weighing the financial risk of a major commitment at a time when the roster is already under strain. With an aging core, a pile of pending free agents and more injuries to manage, Los Angeles may be inclined to wait before making a decision on one of its most important young players. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Have A Puka Nacua Decision They Cant Get Wrong
With several wide receivers around the league dealing with injury uncertainty heading into Week 7, Puka Nacua has become one of the names to watch for the Rams. He is questionable with a calf injury, a development that matters even more given how important he has been to Los Angeles offense and how quickly the rest of the receiver landscape has shifted across the NFL.
The weeks injury report has already knocked several notable pass-catchers out, while others are trending toward returns after practicing fully. For the Rams, the focus is less on the wider league picture and more on getting Nacua right, because his availability could shape both the game plan and the teams margin for error in a way few other injuries would. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Need Kyren Williams And Blake Corum To Finally Get Rolling
The Rams head into Week 7 with a chance to lean into an area that has not always looked as sharp as Sean McVay would prefer. Against a Raiders defense that has struggled to stop the run, Los Angeles should have a real opening to feature Kyren Williams and Blake Corum more heavily and try to build a steadier ground game around them.
For a team dealing with injury issues, getting that part of the offense moving matters beyond just the matchup on paper. Williams and Corum are the backs most positioned to change the tone of this offense if the Rams can create consistent lanes, and this is the sort of game where they need to turn opportunity into something more than just a promising plan. [Read more 🡒]