Kupp or not, Tutu Atwell has his best game of the year and other bold predictions
The Los Angeles Rams will take on the Las Vegas Raiders following an early bye in Week 6. The break seems to have come at the most opportune time with LA possibly getting some of their weapons back from injury which could include Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. Here are my three bold predictions for Sunday’s matchup.
The Rams hold the Raiders to under 100 yards rushing
This would not be that bold of a prediction if it weren’t for the fact that LA has one of the worst rush defenses in the league. They are currently allowing 4.8 yards per rush which currently ranks 26th and have yet to hold any of their opponents under 126 yards in five games. Many will quickly blame a lackluster linebacker group that features Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reader who have opportunities to improve to say the least, but everyone on defensive line has a hand in their failures against the run.
Luckily for LA they will be facing one of the worst rushing teams in all of football coming off the bye. The Raiders average 3.7 yards per carry and have fumbled the ball four times already this season. If the defensive line and linebacker units can hold up against the run rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse have an opportunity to finally pin their ears back and attack at will.
Zamir White Questionable For Week 7
Raiders RB Zamir White (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams. He practiced all week, including a full workout on Friday, so he seems on track to play. It’s unclear how backfield touches will be divvied be… pic.twitter.com/oM1Ceg0FlS
— Draft Sharks (@DraftSharks) October 18, 2024
It also helps that Chris Shula and his unit is coming back from a much needed early bye. Could we see a change with the linebackers on Sunday? If you ask me, it won’t matter who is out on the field—despite being one of the worst at stopping the run, LA’s defense will have their best performance of the year and hold the Raiders to under 100 yards rushing on the day.
Tutu Atwell scores a rushing and a receiving touchdown
Cooper Kupp could very well make it on the field on Sunday after recovering from a high ankle sprain that he suffered early in the season. Even if he does, expect Tutu Atwell to have one of his best showings of the season. The undersized and underutilized receiver has become one of LA’s most efficient as the rapport between him and Matthew Stafford has grown in the wake of Kupp’s and Puka Nacua’s injuries.
MATTHEW STAFFORD TO TUTU ATWELL pic.twitter.com/7m1l2zrS96
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 22, 2024
If Kupp can make it on the field the Raiders will have to give him a decent amount of attention to ensure he doesn’t wreck the game. That should give Atwell his best opportunity of the season to go against softer coverage and Kupp’s elite blocking ability could be useful on a sneaky end-around to the former second round draft pick.
If Kupp does not see the field, Atwell will once again be wide receiver number one and get plenty of opportunities to show off his skill set. If Sean McVay can continue to find ways to scheme the speedy pass catcher open the Raiders defense will have a hard time stopping LA’s secret weapon.
Atwell has began to come into his own as of late and it should all pay off regardless of who is on the field with a pair of touchdowns on Sunday.
Stafford and the offense score 30+ points
Could a short break and a TV spot be exactly what Stafford needed to finally ignite what was thought to be possibly one of the most lethal offenses in the league? Getting Kupp back might be enough. Their opponent is currently entering the early stages of a rebuild after shipping off their best weapon in Davante Adams and have plenty of question marks at the leagues most important position with Aidan O’Connell behind center. If all goes according to plan, LA’s defense should have one of their best showings of the season and give Stafford plenty of chances to lead the team down the field.
It might help that the Raiders defense has allowed 30+ points in three of their six games played this season— 36 points to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, 34 points to the Denver Broncos in Week 5, and most recently 32 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. None of those offenses are jumping off the page as the leagues most elite.
A decisive win against a weaker opponent could be the answer to an early turnaround to the season. Expect Stafford and McVay to give everything they have in order to get their second W of the year—which is why LA will score 30+ points on Sunday.
