Most people have heard of a battering ram.
But what about the battered Rams?
That's who the Las Vegas Raiders will be facing in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season, as Sean McVay's team travels in from Los Angeles with a skeleton crew for a cross-conference showdown. Davante Adams, Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner and Poona Ford's absences have already been confirmed.
It seems like the Rams will be without Puka Nacua, Trent McDuffie and Nathan Landman as well. But this Los Angeles team still needs to be taken seriously, as they have a variety of ways in which they can make life more difficult for Klint Kubiak's squad on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
What it could come down to, though, is the Silver and Black handling business in a handful of key matchups. Here are four critical ones to monitor in this game.
4 matchups Raiders need to win vs. Rams to emerge victorious
Raiders' rushing attack vs. struggling Rams run defense
Do I even need to cover the Raiders' run-game issues?
Las Vegas hasn't been able to establish the run since Week 1, and they are currently 30th in total yards and 31st in yards per attempt. They run the ball often, but not effectively or efficiently. Luckily, Los Angeles isn't exactly stout at stopping the ground game.
Not only have they given up the sixth-most rushing yards in the league, but they have allowed 4.4 yards per carry. This Rams run defense can be taken advantage of if the Raiders bring their "A" game, but with Mike Washington Jr. and Ashton Jeanty both banged up, that will be an even taller task.
Las Vegas' pass rush vs. up-and-down Matthew Stafford
The Raiders were leading the league in pressure and sack rate at one point, but those numbers have fallen off in recent weeks. And their ability to finish plays has been abysmal lately as well. But if they can just make Matthew Stafford uncomfortable on Sunday, that will go a long way toward a win.
According to Pro Football Focus, Stafford's completion percentage drops from 77.0 to 38.0 when he is pressured, and he's thrown zero touchdowns compared to three interceptions and seven turnover-worthy plays. If Las Vegas can pressure Stafford, they can completely wreck the game plan.
Raiders' secondary against short-staffed Los Angeles WR corps
Los Angeles' receiving game has always been a two-man show with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But the latter ruptured his hamstring last week and was placed on IR, and the former just left practice on Thursday with a calf injury, and a lot of people don't think he will play in Week 7.
Las Vegas' secondary has struggled at times lately, mainly because they've had to cover for longer with a poor pass rush. But this would be a great game for them to get back on track. The Rams will trot out Konata Mumpfield, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell and our old friend Alex Bachman.
Special teams vs. special teams
One of the biggest downfalls of this ultra-talented Rams roster is their special teams unit. In fact, they are the worst in the league by a country mile. At one point, the Raiders' group was the very best in the NFL, but they have rapidly fallen to the middle of the pack over the last few games.
If Las Vegas can right the ship on special teams, or at least punish Los Angeles for its inevitable self-inflicted mistakes on Sunday, then that would be massive for the Silver and Black. This is the often-forgotten third phase of the game, but it can't be an afterthought in Week 7.
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