3 causes for concern for Raiders Week 7 vs Rams

Three reasons to remain cautious ahead of the Raiders' Week 7 matchup against the Rams are highlighted in this report. First and foremost, the Rams boast a formidable quarterback in Matt Stafford, who currently leads the league. Stafford's ability to elevate his team's performance is unparalleled, making him a significant threat on the field. Moreover, the faith his receivers have in his ability to deliver the ball to them accurately further solidifies his importance to the Rams' success.

Secondly, the Raiders' run defense has been a consistent weakness throughout the season. While they have faced top-tier rushing attacks, their defensive performance has been subpar, resulting in a league-worst ranking. The Rams' ground game features a potent duo in Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, who have combined to rank among the top rushing back duos in the league.

With their impressive average of 4.91 and 4.74 yards per carry, respectively, the Rams can effectively counter the Raiders' defensive shortcomings by relying more heavily on their powerful running attack.

Lastly, the Raiders' running back corps presents another area of concern. The team is currently ranked 31st in the league in terms of yards per attempt, at just 3.0. This dismal statistic is primarily attributed to Ashton Jeanty's struggles due to ankle and foot injuries, as well as the absence of backup Mike Washington Jr., who is also dealing with foot and back injuries and is currently listed as questionable for the game.

With Jeanty averaging under 2.5 yards per carry in recent weeks, the Raiders will need to rely on Washington to provide a much-needed boost to their running attack.