If the Raiders are going to knock off the Rams on Sunday a couple of star players and one player returning from injury will need to have big games.
Las Vegas has lost three straight games to fall to 3-3. Their playoff hopes are slipping by the week. But the schedule doesn’t lighten up in Week 7, as the Rams come to town desperate for a win.
Brock Bowers
Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Rams have injury concerns heading into this. Not only is Los Angeles decimated at wide receiver, but their top cornerback, Trent McDuffie, is questionable. If McDuffie misses the game or is even just slowed down by his injury, Bowers needs to feast.
Bowers is the best player in Las Vegas. Teams can try to take him out of the game, but rarely do they succeed. But if given a chance against a depleted secondary, Bowers needs to have a monster game. Being unguardable would go a long way in helping the Raiders’ offense put up enough points to beat the Rams.
If Los Angeles devotes multiple players on every possession to slowing down Bowers, his individual numbers may not be gaudy, but he can open up opportunities for everyone else. Last week Bowers only picked up 70 yards, but Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker both topped 90 yards.
Either way, Bowers needs to have a huge impact for the Raiders to win.
Tonka Hemingway
With Davante Adams on injured reserve and Puka Nacua questionable, the Rams passing game could be decimated. Sean McVay and Matt Stafford will surely still present a tough test, but the Rams could look to lean on the running game.
The Raiders run defense has struggled, ranking 29th in expected points added against the run. The biggest issue has been how often the interior of the defensive line gets blown up.
The Raiders rotate through their defensive linemen regularly, but before missing Week 6 due to a concussion, Tonka Hemingway was leading the team in snaps at defensive tackle. If the Raiders are going to slow down Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, Hemingway will need to lead the charge.
Maxx Crosby
But to beat the Rams, the Raiders will need star power. Las Vegas’ defense was successful through the first three weeks of the season because of big plays. Sacks and turnovers were abundant.
But during the three-game losing streak, where the defense ranks 32nd in EPA, the big plays have disappeared. Maxx Crosby needs to fix it.
He is still one of the best in the NFL at getting pressure. But since the Week 1 win over Miami, he has just half of a sack. Crosby needs to make Stafford’s life difficult, regardless of who he is throwing to, and he needs to help keep the run game bottled up.
Las Vegas is begging for someone to make game-changing plays on defense. Crosby should be the one to respond.
More on the Las Vegas Raiders
- Las Vegas Raiders May Need RB Ashton Jeanty to Carry More of the Load
- Will Rams’ Injuries Give Raiders a Chance for Week 7 Upset?
- Los Angeles Rams Have a Special Teams Crisis at the Worst Time
- Raiders Could Make Big Splash by Adding Brian Thomas from Jaguars
