The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) host the Los Angeles Rams (2-4) at Allegiant Stadium this Sunday. Both teams are struggling. The Raiders enter the game on a three-game losing streak, and the Rams have lost their last two. Both teams need a win, and this should be a high-intensity game. The Rams entered as a Super Bowl favorite and have struggled, but even with a losing record and injuries, they still have talent to watch.
WR Puka Nacua
The Rams will lean heavily on Puka Nacua in the passing game. He is the Rams' go-to receiver, with 37 catches for 417 yards and a touchdown. In a loss three weeks ago to the Buffalo Bills, Nacua caught 17 passes for 138 yards.
The fifth year veteran runs tremendous routes and excels after the catch. While not being the fastest player, he knows how to create separation and use his body against defenders to get open. On key downs, QB Matt Stafford will look to the Nacua to make plays and extend drives. With leading receiver Davante Adams out with a Hamstring injury, Nacua will see even more targets, so the Raiders will need to pay close attention to him.
Las Vegas defensive backs must challenge Nacua at the line of scrimmage, disrupt route timing, and tackle him immediately when he gets the ball in his hands. Cornerbacks Eric Stokes, Darien Porter, and Hezekiah Masses better be ready to play some physical football.
QB Matt Stafford
The 38-year-old signal caller has a league-leading 1,794 passing yards through the first six weeks. What makes Stafford so dangerous is his ability to recognize defensive alignments before the snap and attack weaknesses. His ability to anticipate throws and his arm strength let him deliver through tight windows with pressure in his face. With plenty of arm strength to push the ball downfield to create explosive plays for the Rams' offense.
Given time, he will pick Las Vegas apart. The Raiders must pressure Stafford with the front four rather than blitzing because of his experience and ability to identify pressure and attack where the blitz is coming from.
RB Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams leads the Rams in rushing with 393 yards and four touchdowns. The running back is patient and lets his blocks develop. When defenses lose gap control and do not finish tackles, Williams can turn short runs into long gains.
The veteran running back also adds 30 catches out of the backfield, which leads NFL among running backs. So, along with gap discipline, Las Vegas's linebackers must watch him out of the backfield on underneath routes and screens.
The Rams may be 2-4, but they're still dangerous: they rank third on offense, with 401.3 yards per game, 288.7 passing and 112.7 rushing. Los Angeles averages 23 points per game. The Raiders rank 28th on defense, giving up 371.7 yards and 27 points per game. Las Vegas will need its defense to step up to beat the Rams on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Key Rams players to watch Week 7 vs Raiders