The Los Angeles Rams might have to start winning the next few regular season games the hard way. That could mean relying more on their defense and special teams than the offense. The honest truth is that this team’s offense is not in a position to score 30 points, not with the injuries currently across the roster. Sometimes, winning football means finding the end zone once or twice, taking the available field goals, and letting your defense take over the game.
According to FanDuel, the Rams are favorites
(-9.5) on the road against the Cardinals. The Rams have the defensive personnel to make Carson Beck miserable, generate turnovers, and dictate the tempo. Special teams can also become a difference-maker by controlling field position and consistently putting points on the board. Sean McVay needs to embrace that formula rather than forcing the offense to carry the entire team. If the Rams can win with 20 points and a dominant defensive performance, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Here are my five predictions for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals…
BOLD PREDICTIONS
1. Tutu Atwell leads WRs & TEs in receptions
We know that the offense can operate well enough with Tutu Atwell in a main role. In 2023, he was targeted 35 times in the first 4 games of the season. He hauled in 22 receptions for 270 yards. No, Tutu Atwell will not have the time of volume that Puka Nacua has but the Rams could employ a “speedy” trio of WRs with Atwell-Smith-Daniels; stretching the defense vertically and horizontally.
2. Defense sacks Carson Beck six times
Mike LaFleur will likely lean on the running game early to get Carson Beck acclimated to the flow of the game. But eventually Carson Beck is going to have to sit in the pocket. But… there are not enough blockers to go around to stop Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett. Byron Young, Braden Fiske, and Wesley Bailey also should get plenty of 1 on 1 opportunities.
3. Max Klare becomes primary TE target
Higbee, Parkinson, and Allen have all been inconsistent in 2026. You have to wonder if the Rams can get something out of their 2026 second round pick. Klare has the same hybrid-TE ability as Terrance Ferguson. Klare also seems like a great option to use in the screen game – showing more twitch than Higbee, Parkinson, and Allen.
4. Brandon McManus kicks 4 field goals
At some point, the Rams special teams will need to help with scoring because of the offense’s sluggish ability in the first half. I believe Sean McVay needs to lean into kicking more field goals; taking the points and letting his defense win these next few games while the offense heals up.
5. CJ Daniels catches redzone touchdown
With Daniels having a 6’2” frame, Daniels is the next man up for being targeted in the redzone. It won’t be Tutu Atwell or Xavier Smith.
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