The Las Vegas Raiders have lost three straight and face another test Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, who rank among the NFL’s top three teams in total offense and total defense despite entering the matchup with a 2-4 record.
The Rams are coming off consecutive losses to the Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals but have continued to produce offensively, totaling 2,408 yards through six games for an average of 401.3 per game. Los Angeles has been particularly effective through the air, averaging 288.7 passing yards for the second-highest mark in the NFL.
A big reason for the Rams’ passing success has been quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for a league-leading 1,794 yards with 11 touchdowns. Stafford is coming off an MVP season in 2025 in which he threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Stafford has led an offensive group that included wide receivers Puka Nacua and former Raider Davante Adams, who combined for five touchdowns this season.
However, the Rams will have to adjust their offensive game plan with Adams expected to miss at least the next six games after sustaining a ruptured hamstring. Nacua’s availability for Sunday is also uncertain after he left Thursday’s practice early with a calf injury.
With both of its top wide receivers potentially sidelined, Los Angeles could turn to tight end Tyler Higbee and 2025 seventh-round draft pick Konata Mumpfield. The two have combined for 32 receptions this season.
With their passing options potentially limited, the Rams could look to get their running game going after averaging 112 rushing yards. Their backfield features Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who have shared the workload.
Williams has accounted for 54 percent of the Rams’ rushing attempts, totaling 393 yards and four touchdowns while adding 217 receiving yards on 39 targets. Corum has rushed 47 times for 223 yards and a touchdown.
The Rams have been just as effective on the other side of the ball, allowing 294 yards per game to rank third in the NFL in total defense. They have been especially strong against the pass, giving up 167 passing yards, the second-lowest average in the league.
That could create a difficult matchup for Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has thrown for 1,582 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns.
Conversely, the Raiders’ defense has allowed 371.7 yards per game this season, ranking among the bottom five in the NFL. The potential absence of some of Stafford’s biggest offensive weapons could provide an opportunity for Las Vegas to get back into the win column.
Despite their three-game losing streak, the Raiders earned praise from Rams coach Sean McVay.
“Our full focus and concentration is on the Raiders. They’re a really good team,” he told reporters. “They’ve done a heck of a job. Klint Kubiak has done a great job. They’re really well-coached in all three phases, and they’ve been productive in all three phases.
“They made some big free-agent signings on the defensive side of the ball, and they’ve got a bunch of different playmakers. I think Kirk is really doing a nice job distributing the football, getting a bunch of different people involved, and you can see Klint’s influence on the scheme because they put a lot of pressure on you with different personnel groupings.”
Said defensive coordinator Chris Shula of Kubiak: “I think he’s one of the best in the league at what he does, and it’s a huge challenge.”
Contact Donovan Hicks at dhicks@reviewjournal.com. Follow @HicksSports on X.
