The Rams didn’t just beat the Raiders in Week 7. They changed the math around their entire season.
A loss would have dropped Los Angeles to 2-5 and pushed the franchise toward some tough, future-focused conversations. At that point, the idea of selling off pieces like Byron Young, Braden Fiske, and others for draft capital would have been very much on the table, with the Rams potentially shifting attention toward 2027 and hoping key stars would be healthy by then.
Instead, the win moved them to 3-4, and that changes the feel of the next few weeks. With three games ahead that look winnable, the Rams can realistically head into their Week 11 bye at 6-4 and squarely back in the NFC playoff picture. Over the next three weeks, they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, and Arizona Cardinals.
That doesn’t mean the Rams have arrived. It does mean they’re no longer stuck in the uncomfortable place a 2-5 start would have created.
They can be more aggressive at the trade deadline, or at least more open to exploring options. If a move fits, they now have room to act on it.
Even so, this is not the kind of spot that demands a headline-grabbing blockbuster. The Rams can treat the return of Myles Garrett and Terrance Ferguson like two in-season additions of their own. Garrett’s return from injury should give the defense a significant lift.
There are still obvious areas that could use help. The Rams have wanted a more dependable third wide receiver since the offseason.
With Poona Ford out for the year, there’s also a case for adding a run-stuffing nose tackle. Special teams remains another area that could draw attention if the right move comes along.
But the bigger point is this: the Raiders game should not be mistaken for proof that all the Rams’ issues are gone. The performance was encouraging, but they haven’t shown that kind of consistency all season.
At 3-4, with a 38 percent chance of making the playoffs, the Rams are in a far better position to keep trimming future assets in order to strengthen the roster for a run. That’s a very different posture from 2-5, where the temptation would have been to start looking ahead instead of around.
The win also gives Los Angeles the flexibility to be smart instead of desperate. They do not need to force a move or chase something as expensive as the Von Miller deal in 2021.
But if general manager Les Snead can land a player who fills a clear hole without costing major future resources, that’s the kind of trade worth making. Some of his best moves have been lower-cost pickups like Austin Corbett and Kevin Dotson.
That approach has been the goal since the move for Trent McDuffie back in April. The Rams do not have to swing for the fences. They do, however, have enough life now to keep building toward a postseason push.
They also aren’t operating in a vacuum. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have both been willing to make aggressive moves at the deadline. With the Rams already committed to winning this season, standing still is no longer the best option.
Beating the Raiders bought them breathing room. Now they have the chance to use it. If the Rams still believe they can chase a Super Bowl, the trade deadline should be approached with that same urgency.
In Other News...
Blake Corum Just Put The Rams Backfield Tension In Focus
Blake Corums recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show offered a clearer look at how the Rams are handling one of the more interesting dynamics on their roster. The rookie running back talked about the committee approach in Los Angeles and framed his relationship with Kyren Williams as a competitive one built on mutual respect, with both players focused on what helps the offense most rather than who gets the credit.
Corum did not hide that he wants to grow into the Rams top rusher at some point, which only adds to the intrigue around how this backfield develops. For now, though, he said the priority is fitting into the teams culture and backing up a teammate who shares the same goal of winning, even if the path there could eventually put the two backs in a more defined race for touches. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Keep Ignoring Tutu Atwell As This Offensive Debate Grows
The Rams went out and brought Tutu Atwell back from Miami after letting him leave in the first place, a move that suggested they still saw something worth reclaiming in his speed and fit. But with injuries thinning out the receiving room, his role has remained more limited than many expected through Week 7, leaving Los Angeles with a familiar question about how much it really wants to lean into a player it sought out again.
Atwells situation has become part of a broader offensive debate for the Rams, who continue to sort through how best to distribute targets and build the passing game around the pieces available. Even with the need for more help at receiver, the team has stayed cautious with his usage, and the longer that trend continues, the more it looks like an unresolved call on one of the rosters more intriguing options. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Special Teams Problem Suddenly Feels Bigger Than One Roster Move
The Rams made another small roster adjustment this week, adding linebacker Jon Rhattigan to the practice squad while moving on from cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean and linebacker Eli Neal. On paper, it is the kind of housekeeping teams do all the time in the middle of the season, but it also lands at a moment when special teams has become a real concern for Los Angeles and not just a background issue.
Sean McVay has already acknowledged the teams ongoing problems in that phase, and the front office has continued to look for answers around the edges of the roster. Long snapper Jake McQuaide even visited the Rams despite Joe Cardona being signed earlier in the offseason, which suggests the team is at least exploring every possible fix as the conversation around special teams grows louder. [Read more 🡒]