The 3-3 Las Vegas Raiders host the 2-4 Los Angeles Rams Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. PT. Here are five keys to victory for Las Vegas:
Contain Puka Nacua:
The Rams’ wide receiver is a game wrecker. The Raiders’ secondary has had its share of issues in recent weeks. Nacua cannot be allowed to take the game over.
Don’t give up so many dang points:
The Raiders have allowed 135 points (an average of 33.75 pints a game) in the past four games. During their current three-game losing
streak, the Raiders have allowed, at least, 30 points in every game. That’s their longest such streak since 2019. The Rams are outgaining their opponents by a total of 644 yards, which leads the NFL. They are capable of hitting that 30-point mark. New Las Vegas defensive coordinator Rob Leonard has to figure out a way to stop this trend now.
Control line of scrimmage:
We know the Raiders’ offensive line has had its struggles and we know the Rams’ defensive front is beat up. The Raiders will not win this game if Aaron Donald and company take over. The Las Vegas offensive line must be stout.
Be better in red-zone offense:
The Raiders were two for five inside the red zone against Buffalo. Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak lamented that fact after the game. The Bills, on the other hand, were three of five inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line. It was the difference in the 33-30 game. The Raiders can’t let for opportunities points be squandered against the Rams.
Get Bowers involved earlier:
The Bills tried to take Raiders’ superstar tight end Brock Bowers out of the game plan and it work for the most part as Bowers wasn’t target until their were less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Bowers did end up making an impact with four catches for 70 yards. But he is what makes this offense click. He needs to impact the game for four quarters.
