The Playbook: Rams vs. Raiders

In the 1996 cult classic movie “Swingers,” a heartbroken Jon Favreau gets a phone call from Vince Vaughn, who offers his struggling buddy a simple solution to life’s problems.

“Vegas, baby, Vegas!”

Thirty years later, Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams could use a similar intervention.

Because what began as a season filled with Super Bowl aspirations has become a five-alarm fire, and the team that dreamed of playing for a Lombardi Trophy in its own stadium might need a miracle just to escape the NFC West basement.

After consecutive home losses, including Sunday’s humiliating 18-16 defeat to the previously 1-4 Arizona Cardinals, the Rams (2-4) head to Allegiant Stadium for a Week 7 showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders (3-3).

The Rams couldn’t beat a Cardinals team they were favored to defeat by nearly two touchdowns. Now we’re supposed to believe they can stroll into Sin City, missing half their starting lineup, and beat a Raiders team averaging 27 points per game?

Yeah, good luck with that.

Somehow, Los Angeles enters Sunday as a 4.5-point favorite. Apparently, oddsmakers haven’t watched the same Rams team the rest of us have or maybe they haven’t read the injury report.

Davante Adams is headed for surgery on his ruptured hamstring. Kobie Turner is on IR.Poona Ford and kicker Blake Grupe are done for the season. Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve, while cornerback Trent McDuffie (groin) and linebacker Nate Landman (concussion protocol) did not practice most of this week.

Without Garrett and Turner, the Rams’ pass rush resembles a casino patron desperately searching for his last chip. They’ve recorded just eight sacks all season, tied for second-fewest in the NFL.

That’s music to Kirk Cousins’ ears.

The Raiders quarterback has thrown for 14 touchdowns, tied for the league lead, and wasn’t sacked once in Sunday’s 33-30 loss to Buffalo. With Brock Bowers terrorizing defenses over the middle and Tre Tucker coming off a 97-yard, two-touchdown performance, Las Vegas has enough weapons to expose the Rams’ increasingly vulnerable defense.

Offensively, McVay needs to stop treating his running game like an unwanted dinner guest.

Kyren Williams and Blake Corum found success against Arizona, yet the Rams inexplicably abandoned the ground attack. They’re averaging 4.6 yards per carry, ninth-best in football, while Las Vegas ranks 28th against the run.

Here’s a novel idea: run the damn ball.

With Adams sidelined, Puka Nacua must carry the receiving corps, while rookie Konata Mumpfield figures to receive an expanded role. C.J. Daniels and Tutu Atwell could also factor into the equation if activated.

Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 1,794 passing yards, but those numbers mean little when the Rams rank 20th in scoring at 22.5 points per game.

Perhaps the cruelest irony is that the Rams rank third in both total offense and total defense. They’re moving the football and limiting yardage, yet somehow finding new ways to lose. One could argue they’re just two penalties and one blocked field goal away from being 5-1 on the season instead of 2-4.

Sunday renews an old-school Los Angeles rivalry, with the all-time series deadlocked at 8-8.

But nostalgia won’t save the Rams.

Neither will another motivational speech about adversity.

They need execution, healthy bodies and a victory before their once-promising season disappears faster than a tourist’s paycheck at the blackjack table.

Marquee Matchup

Brock Bowers vs. Quentin Lake and the Rams secondary

The Rams have struggled to defend the middle of the field even when healthy. Now they face one of football’s most dangerous tight ends without several of their best defenders.

Quentin Lake intercepted a Jacoby Brissett pass intended for All-Pro tight end Trey McBride in the Cardinals’ first series last Sunday. Now he and his teammates in the secondary get the difficult assignment of stopping Bowers who had 70 receiving yards against Buffalo last Sunday. Remarkably, his lowest output of the season.

If the Rams defense cannot control the middle of the field, Sunday’s game could get ugly in a hurry.

Duarte’s Decision

Raiders 28, Rams 20

The Rams have reached the point where reputation means more than reality. They’re favored because of Stafford, McVay and the names printed on their jerseys, not because of anything they’ve demonstrated lately.

The Raiders are healthier, more explosive offensively and better equipped to capitalize on the Rams’ weaknesses. Cousins should have time to throw, Bowers will feast over the middle, and the Raiders’ pass rush will make Stafford uncomfortable.

Vegas, baby, Vegas. Unfortunately for McVay and the Rams, what happens there won’t stay there.

Key Stat

30.9%

The Raiders’ pressure rate ranks third in the NFL. Against a depleted Rams offense, relentless pressure could turn Stafford’s afternoon into another frustrating exercise in survival.

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