Entering Week 7, the Las Vegas Raiders look to snap a three-game skid, and the Los Angeles Rams will try to avoid a third straight loss. Barring a tie, one of them can build momentum heading into November. And the Raiders are the far healthier club in this matchup.
The Rams won't have wideout Davante Adams, who tore his hamstring last week, and they ruled out starting linebacker Nate Landman. Kobie Turner is now on IR. All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie did not practice and is questionable. Puka Nacua is nursing a calf injury and will be a game-time decision.
Averaging 27 points per game, the Raiders should have some success against an injury-riddled defense. Las Vegas' defense will need to focus on the Rams' tight ends and running backs in the passing game, with Adams on the sidelines and Nacua at less than 100% if he suits up.
RBs and TEs will be the biggest factors in the Rams-Raiders matchup
Michael Mayer scores a touchdown
Michael Mayer is having the most productive stretch of his career, eclipsing 81 receiving yards in two of his last three games. In Weeks 4 and 6, he led the team in catches, and that's with Brock Bowers active for both games.
Opposing teams have rolled a variety of coverages over to Bowers, and Mayer has answered the call as a playmaker who can win his matchups in the passing game.
This season, the Rams have only allowed one touchdown to a tight end, Denver Broncos' Nate Adkins in Week 3, but that position is the Raiders' biggest offensive strength.
Also, without their starting linebacker, Landman, the Rams may be more vulnerable to an inline tight end catching passes between the hashes. Mayer scores his second touchdown of the season in another big game.
Dylan Laube records season-high in scrimmage yards
Ashton Jeanty hasn't been efficient on the ground, averaging fewer than 2.8 yards per carry over the last two weeks. Mike Washington Jr. is questionable at best after missing practice on Thursday and Friday.
Even if Washington plays, he's unlikely to handle a full workload. Dylan Laube could spell Jeanty and become the primary third-down back.
In the 45-17 blowout loss to the New England Patriots, Laube accumulated 25 scrimmage yards and scored a touchdown. As a solid pass-catcher, he could have a decent role in the short passing game if the Raiders continue to struggle running the ball.
Raiders defense allows a touchdown to a Rams tight end
The Rams may not have a choice but to pepper their tight ends with targets in the passing game. Without Adams and with Nacua banged up, expect Matthew Stafford to throw between the numbers to Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, his top two pass-catching tight ends.
Entering Week 7, Higbee is third on the Rams in receiving yards (246). Last week, Parkinson caught five of six targets for 31 yards and a touchdown. Rob Leonard's defense has been vulnerable to pass-catching tight ends.
In Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, the Raiders allowed Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant to combine for 12 catches, 86 yards and four touchdowns. Patriots tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon combined for eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Last week, Dalton Kincaid scored a touchdown, but a penalty negated it. Because of injuries at wide receiver, the Rams will rely on their tight ends out of necessity, but they'll also do it for favorable matchups.
Moe Moton writes about the Raiders for Just Blog Baby. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
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