The Los Angeles Rams take on the Las Vegas Raiders this week, and for both teams, the game serves as a decisive moment in their respective seasons. The Rams are trying to end a two-game losing streak and get to 3-4 for the season. The Raiders are looking to advance to 4-3, ending a three-game skid.
Here are three observations about Las Vegas from its loss to the Bills on Sunday that the Rams have to consider for this week.
Two-headed dragon
The Raiders have two stellar tight ends in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, with their work being a critical portion of the team's entire offense. They serve as two of the team's top pass catchers, with Bowers being their best threat. What makes them special is their work as blockers. That helps them open up space for Ashton
Jeanty and their speedy backup Mike Washington to run through.
They're already a matchup nightmare, but their head coach Klint Kubiak torched the Rams in the NFC Championship Game as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
They will be a lot for the Rams to handle, especially if Trent McDuffie isn't fully healthy. Be prepared for a lot of motion, play action, and a variety of looks out of 12 personnel.
This is a game built for Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua
The Raiders struggled to defend against James Cook and his dual-threat ability, while shiftier players like Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman found space in the secondary time and time again. Their work was assisted by Josh Allen's ability to scramble around, but that can easily be fixed if the Rams manipulate the Raiders' pass rush with play sequencing and the continual repositioning of the pocket to exhaust pass rushers.
On 22 carries, Cook recorded 95 yards and one touchdown. He added three catches for 58 yards on three targets. Shakir and Coleman combined for eight catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 12 targets. Get the ball to Williams and Nacua, using each playmaker to spring the other free.
Cousins loves to attack the middle of the field
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins loves to attack any route that is predicated on establishing a presence inside. Cousins is willing to throw to the outside, but prefers to read the middle of the field. He also has a tendency to see what he wants to see, so the Rams can scheme up a pre-snap look that would lead to Bowers being open on a hook or in route, before quickly dropping a defender into that space.
Cousins isn't afraid to throw the ball, especially early in possessions.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 3 lessons Rams can learn about Raiders from their Week 6 loss
