On Sunday, at SoFi Stadium, two struggling teams—the Los Angeles Rams (1-4) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)—will meet. The Raiders are 28th in passing yards per game and 27th in scoring after trading for Davante Adams. The squad has the most turnovers (12) and quarterback sacks (18) in the NFL. Despite ranking 28th in scoring, their defense has struggled to force turnovers, managing just two so far this season. Among the notable injured players are Maxx Crosby, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Zamir White, who is recovering from a knee injury.
After a well-deserved bye week, the Rams are poised to reclaim their winning form. Their 324 rushing yards per game, though ranking them 25th in the league, show promise. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, despite taking 16 sacks, is a force to be reckoned with. Their running offense, averaging under 100 yards per game, is a work in progress. The Rams’ defense, though struggling without Aaron Donald, has the potential to rise above, ranking 29th in scores and 28th in yards allowed. Among the notable casualties are Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but their absence is not insurmountable.
The Rams’ -7 spread is the better option, but their defensive problems are a cause for concern. The Raiders’ offensive issues make Los Angeles the more favorable choice. However, the Rams must use the bye week to its advantage and address their defensive issues to beat the struggling Raiders.