Raiders vs Rams Picks and Prediction – 10/20/2024

The Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) face off against the Los Angeles Rams (1-4) in an intriguing Week 7 matchup at SoFi Stadium. Both teams are desperate to rebound from recent struggles, with the Raiders coming off a 32-13 loss to Pittsburgh, and the Rams falling to Green Bay 24-19 in the last game. Crush the gridiron with our unbeatable NFL picks.

The Raiders offense has struggled to find consistency. Gardner Minshew has thrown for 1,014 yards but has only four touchdowns to five interceptions, underscoring the need for cleaner quarterback play. Running back Alexander Mattison has not been able to find much rhythm with only 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Brock Bowers leads the receiving unit with 384 yards, though the offense remains hampered by turnovers. Offensive line issues are also mounting, with two key linemen ruled inactive for this contest.

The Raiders defense has been porous, giving up 36 and 34 points in two of the last three games. Injuries have taken a toll, especially with linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and safety Dylan Parham both questionable. Defensive discipline and tightening up in the secondary will be key if they want to contain Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ passing attack.

Los Angeles' offense hasn’t fared much better, though Matthew Stafford has been effective at times with 1,238 passing yards and three touchdowns. Running back Kyren Williams has been the offensive engine, rushing for 360 yards and six touchdowns, while Tutu Atwell has added 281 receiving yards. The Rams are hopeful that Stafford will play, though he remains questionable with an injury, along with star receiver Cooper Kupp, whose absence would further weaken the offense.

Defensively, the Rams need to improve after allowing 24 or more points in four of five games. They've struggled in pass defense, giving up multiple big plays in recent outings. If Kupp and Stafford are out or limited, the Rams will need a strong showing from the running game and pass rush to limit the Raiders’ attack.

The Raiders come into this game in better health, with a more reliable running attack led by Mattison, giving them an edge in ball control. If Stafford and Kupp are unavailable or limited, the Rams' offense will struggle to keep pace. Expect the Raiders to grind out a close win with the ground game and capitalize on Los Angeles' defensive lapses. Final Score Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders win 24-20.