Raiders vs. Rams Predictions & Odds for NFL Week 7

The Las Vegas Raiders come to Sofi Stadium on Sunday for a week seven showdown with the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders are really looking for answers now after dropping an ugly 32-13 loss at home to the Steelers. They now turn their attention to a rested Rams team coming off the bye, following a 24-19 loss to the Packers in their last game. At 1-4, they’re in desperate need of a win and are hoping that the rest and having a struggling opponent coming into town can get them back on the right track. What’s the right move on Sunday?

Perception vs. Reality

Despite the Rams being in worse shape than the Raiders technically at just 1-4, there is still this image of them maybe being the more-together team overall. Even with one more win, the Raiders seem more broken—having seen their top offensive player fly the coup, changes at QB underway, and certain weeks where they hit a rock-bottom not seen from most teams. Last week’s 19-point loss to the Steelers at home was the second time they got obliterated at home by teams not really showing offensive fire in other weeks, their other loss being to the Panthers in Carolina’s only win of the season. We see the defense no longer really responding to the leadership of head coach Antonio Pierce, and whatever mojo he flexed toward the end of last season in a strong finish for the Raiders seems to have whooshed out the window.

With the Rams, you have the unsightly 1-4 record, but only one of those losses was really embarrassing, as they were in all the other games. And it’s not like Detroit, Chicago, and Green Bay are bad teams, certainly better than some of the squads who have laid a beating on the Raiders this season. Like Las Vegas, the Rams can hit some pretty sour notes, as evidenced by their lopsided loss to the Cardinals in week two. But they’ve still been better just from a naked-eye standpoint. The rest had to help some of the veterans and battered bodies on this team, even giving rise to the possibility that WR Cooper Kupp makes his way back onto the field this week

Issues for the Raiders this Week

Even if you’re not exactly thrilled with the prospects of the Rams and Matthew Stafford taking it to the Raiders through the air should Kupp not be 100% and still without Puka Nacua, the Rams’ running back really seems to line up well to have a big game this week. Whereas the Raiders can hold it together in some spots, they’re really struggling with bell cow running backs, with the Chargers, Ravens, Panthers, and the Steelers last week really having their way with this group. The idea of a well-rested Williams in a position where the Rams desperately need a win going against this group seems to be a compelling aspect of this game.

Even with the Rams’ aerial offense in a state of flux with Kupp maybe just getting back, they’re really not at a deficit in this spot in that area. With the Raiders starting either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell at quarterback, they’re still not half of what Stafford is even at this age. They absolutely cannot run the ball and just saw their only game-changer aerially go to the Jets. So, they’re not really in a position to attack the Rams along the lines other teams can. They have a few decent role receivers and a potential star in TE Brock Bowers, but with no run game and deficient QB play, how much does it really register from week to week?

What to Expect

One can’t tell this early in the week where the Raiders will turn to for QB. Going against a Rams’ defense where you get the feeling they could break at any moment, you’d maybe prefer to see Minshew in there, as he has at least performed well in this league before. It’s not bankable, but at least with him, there have been some big games. If it’s again O’Connell, the prospects of him creating the necessary magic to get the Raiders to the top on just the strength of the aerial attack seems gloomy. Granted, they’ve been without the injured Adams for a few weeks, but they’ve been pretty bad aerially in spots. With the combination of Zamir White and Alexander Mattison not paying off out of the backfield, along with a defense that is waning, what are we pinning our hopes on with the Raiders?

I expect a Rams’ team to come out sharp. Kyren Williams will set the tone, and if he gets no headway in this matchup, that’s the sword I’ll die on this week. And even if he doesn’t, they should still be in decent shape, especially if Kupp makes his way back onto the field this week. The Rams’ defense is far from outstanding, but against this offensive line, they can still get some things done and hold it together against a low-octane Raiders’ offense.

Lay the Number

It’s not supposed to feel comfortable laying a TD on a one-win team in week 7. And just maybe, the bad losses and the high-profile departed personnel have cast a pallor on the Raiders that overstates their woes, especially in relation to playing a 1-4 team with problems of their own. I just sense the Rams are going to control this with the run game and force the Raiders to play catch-up, something they’re not equipped to do. I see the Rams coming out strong, creating some separation, and notching the win and cover at home on Sunday. I’ll take the Rams.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread:

I’m betting on the Los Angeles Rams minus 7 points.