News Rams Team Notes

[Los Angeles Rams]

NFL Week 5: Rams off, but NFL is still on!

The L.A. Rams have already played their Week 5 game, making Sunday a little less exciting for fans. But the NFL never sleeps, right? We watch whether our teams are on or not…unless it’s some boring primetime game between the Giants and Bears maybe.

The Rams may have already played but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything at stake on Sunday. What games are you looking forward to and which teams will you be rooting against? Let us know in the comments.

First, here’s a quick preview of some rooting interests:

Falcons (BYE)

There is no Falcons game this week. That means waiting another week to find out how good L.A.’s 2026 first round pick from Atlanta will be.

Titans at Cardinals

Will Arizona improve to 3-2 and match records with the Rams? If they can’t beat the Titans, the Rams may not have anything to worry about. Tennessee has lost 10 straight games and Brian Callahan may not have much life left.

Will Johnson is expected to play against the Titans on Sunday, per @RapSheet.

Giddy. Up. pic.twitter.com/lIaikoo3NH

— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) October 5, 2025

Bucs at Seahawks

The other NFC West game on Sunday. If Seattle wins, they’ll match the 49ers at 4-1. If they lose, they’ll drop down to 3-2. The Bucs are also 3-1. Who is the better quarterback right now: Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold?

Vikings at Browns

Did you get up at 6:30 to watch the game? Talk about it! You may be the early bird.

Dolphins at Panthers

Considered to be two of the worst teams in the league, this could have implications for the top of the 2026 draft. Both teams are 1-3. Who would you rather have: Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa? And yes, you have to choose one.

Raiders at Colts

Will Indy rebound from their loss to the Rams?

Giants at Saints

The Saints are the only winless team in the NFC. The only two other winless teams are the Titans and Jets. Who do you think has the best chance at the number one pick in 2026? If the Saints lose this one, they’ll be a strong contender and could start selling off pieces.

Cowboys at Jets

New York is also 0-4 but how good are the Cowboys?

Broncos at Eagles

This is one with an obvious rooting interest for Rams fans: Root for the Eagles to lose. L.A. needs every advantage it can get in the NFC.

Texans at Ravens

The Rams play the Ravens next Sunday. Lamar Jackson hasn’t been ruled out for Week 6, but that would be a surprise. He’s ruled out for Week 5. Who are you rooting for in this game?

Lions at Bengals

Jared Goff against Jake Browning. Could Zac Taylor get fired this season or will a loyal owner forgive another lost season because of injuries? You’ll want to root against Goff.

Commanders at Chargers

Probably root for the other L.A. team here. Don’t know if the Commanders could be in contention for a wild card spot against the Rams.

Patriots at Bills (SNF)

Drake Maye has quickly become the best quarterback in the 2024 draft and a rising superstar. A win over Josh Allen in primetime would be huge for his resume.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/game-day-threads/127984/nfl-week-5-rams-off-but-nfl-is-still-on

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams-Ravens opening odds

According to FanDuel, the Los Angeles Rams (3-2) open as favorites over the Baltimore Ravens (1-4) in Week 6 of the NFL season by -7.5 points.

So far, the Rams are undefeated against their AFC opponents in 2025, but 0-2 in the NFC, so maybe that is something to consider if you want to place a bet on this particular game. Another factor to watch is whether or not starting quarterback Lamar Jackson suits up for the Balimore.

Fun fact: Cooper Rush is currently the backup (potential starter if Jackson misses time) QB for the Ravens, and he’s technically 3-0 when his teams have played the Rams.

On the other side, the Ravens were expected to be competing for a Super Bowl this year, but due to injury and lackluster play, the team has struggled and their season is somewhat on the brink of collapse already. Their defense has been one of the lowest rated units in the league, and overall, the Ravens don’t look like a powerhouse in the AFC the way they have in years past.

If you know how this game is going to go, or which players are going to do what, then place your bets! Bet responsibly, watch for any potential line changes and enjoy the game!

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-odds/127990/rams-ravens-opening-odds

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Who should be the starting five on offensive line?

The Los Angeles Rams are 3-2 despite the play of their offensive line. While the group has been stout in run blocking, they’ve especially struggled protecting the quarterback. This makes Matthew Stafford’s fast start to the year all the more impressive; however, if we are being honest, it’s unfair to expect him to sustain the same level of play while consistently under pressure.

Week 1 starters are returning to health. The Rams have decisions to make along the offensive line.

Do they return to the original group that kicked off the season, or could we see a mid-year mixup?

Is Rob Havenstein still the right man at right tackle?​

Of the 21 players to play an offensive snap for LA this season, Havenstein currently ranks 17th according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades. He’s the lowest-ranked lineman aside from Beaux Limmer who currently has a pass blocking grade of zero.

The veteran right tackle has allowed 16 pressures on Stafford so far this year with nine coming in his most recent game against the Indianapolis Colts (he missed the 49ers game due to injury and more on that coming). Havenstein was on the wrong side of a breakout game from Laiatu Latu.

Per Sean McVay: Colby Parkinson is in concussion protocol.

Omar Speights has a high ankle sprain and is likely to be doubtful this week.

Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein are making good progress for his return

— Brock Vierra (@BrockVierra) October 6, 2025

With Havenstein ruled out due to an ankle injury in Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, the offensive line put together their most well-rounded performance. As a result, Stafford was able to push the ball downfield at a frequency we hadn’t seen through the first four games and picked apart the San Francisco secondary.

His replacement in this contest, Warren McClendon, was not spectacular by any means but certainly cleared the ball that Havenstein has set so far this season. McClendon allowed four pressures and was flagged for a penalty. He earned a PFF run blocking grade of 72.2 and a mark in pass blocking of 60.6.

Havenstein’s ankle injury has bothered him since the start of the season. Is he playing injured or is this a sign of decline. At least on a small sample, McClendon seems to be the better player at this point.

Should the Rams make a change at right tackle?

The mysterious disappearance of Steve Avila​

Left guard Steve Avila has been active the last two weeks and active on game day but sat on the bench behind Justin Dedich. Avila has been seen on field goal blocking units (the Rams could use all the help they can get in this facet), but it’s odd that Avila can be healthy enough to backup Dedich and contribute on special teams and not healthy enough to start.

Sean McVay said he expects OL Steve Avila to be available to play Sunday at Ravens. Does he expect Avila to start?

"If he practices and plays the way that I believe he's capable of, then yes."

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 6, 2025

Have the Rams benched Avila for Dedich and not willing to say as much aloud? It’s possible, and we’ve seen similar mysteries from this team before.

Let’s be clear. Dedich does not fit the profile of an NFL starter. He’s very undersized and gets bullied in pass protection relatively often, though he’s improved over the last two weeks. On the other hand, Avila is closer to the prototype as a second round pick.

If we don’t see Avila in the starting lineup in Week 6, it’s time to admit that Avila was benched.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...should-be-the-starting-five-on-offensive-line

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Random Ramsdom: Do you believe they can still compete?

The Los Angeles Rams currently sit at 3-2 and with so many games to go, this team certainly has a chance to win the NFC West, but do you believe that? Do you believe this team can compete with the best teams around the NFL?

Or at this point, do you think the Rams have shown enough to say they are solid, but they won’t be able to compete with the top squads of 2025?

Maybe you are someone who didn’t have high hopes for the Rams to begin with.

For me, I think L.A. has shown enough to say that this team can take on any team in the NFL, and be competitive, but they’ve also shown an ability to completely let themselves down such as when they blew a lead against the Philadelphia Eagles, and got punched in the mouth by the San Francisco 49ers.

All that to say, this team has a chance to go far, but it doesn’t seem they’ll deliver when it matters most, but we’ll see. Plenty of games to go.

Please comment on whatever you want, thank you for checking out Turf Show Times and have a great Tuesday! We’re heading toward Week 6 of the NFL season already!

Why the Rams Are Still Contenders (si.com)​

“FanDuel currently has them listed at +1800 to win the Super Bowl this season, just behind the Los Angeles Chargers with the eighth-best odds in the NFL. They sit at fifth to claim the NFC’s top spot at +900, narrowly edged out by the Niners at +850.

The same trend applies to the NFC West, with San Francisco claiming the best odds at -105, while LA trails just behind at +240. Clearly, their recent head-to-head that fell in favor of the 49ers will have significant ramifications moving forward.“

Join Davante Adams + more for the 10th annual Taste of the Rams event at SoFi Stadium on Monday, November 3rd at 6 PM.

Enjoy food prepared by some of the best chefs in Los Angeles! Spots are limited, so secure your tickets today!

Learn More » https://t.co/3sEusf0zh9 pic.twitter.com/uzStfPGS36

— Rams Community (@RamsCommunity) October 6, 2025

Rams Have a New Threat in 49ers Quarterback (si.com)​

“WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams recently learned that Mac Jones isn’t one to play with and if he continues to operate as the starter while Brock Purdy remains out due to injury, the path to the NFC West lays in his hands.

Jones was phenomenal in the Rams loss, playing his brand of football as he continually exposed the holes in the Rams’ coverage, created by the challenge of covering all the 49ers’ weapons.“

Gearin' up for Week 6!

» https://t.co/c2DM9PBDJa pic.twitter.com/Cwr4WXqeYP

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 6, 2025

Los Angeles Rams vs Baltimore Ravens picks, predictions, odds for who wins NFL Week 6 game (azcentral)​

“Jeremy Cluff writes: “The Ravens have given up 177 points this season, the most in the NFL. That doesn’t bode well for Baltimore, even if Lamar Jackson were to return for this game. Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ offense will put up some points on the road.”

Bill Speros writes: “The team formerly known as the Baltimore Ravens play host to the visiting Rams, just 2 weeks after the Rams saw their hearts broken in Philly. Meanwhile, all you need to know about how far the Ravens have fallen is to see that they are 7.5-point underdogs at home. Cooper Rush and what’s left of the Ravens’ offense might not find the end zone here.”

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...ramsdom-do-you-believe-they-can-still-compete

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams Rookie QB Watch: Who are scouts watching?

When it comes to the fall season in upstate New York, it’s hard not to take advantage of the good weather when it comes because before you know it, the temperature will be cold and there will be snow on the ground. This past weekend was one of the final nice days of the year and instead of watching the Week 6 college football slate, I took my dogs to the Adirondacks and made it a full day trip.

The Adirondacks in peak season are goated. pic.twitter.com/Rn06NqrBxc

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 4, 2025

While I made it back for Florida State vs. Miami and Texas Tech vs. Houston, I missed the entirety of the afternoon games, including Ty Simpson lighting it up against Vanderbilt for Alabama. Carson Beck continues to impress every time that I’ve seen him this year. There is a good chance that he has that Miami team in contention for a national title. He may not have the highest ceiling, but he looks poised and confident this season.

With all of that said, that’s going to make this week’s college football review slightly different. Instead of going through the week’s performances, I opted to take a different approach. The Rams have been reported to be in attendance for a few games this season. Les Snead was at South Carolina’s opener to presumably watch LaNorris Sellers. The Rams have also had a presence at Oklahoma vs. Michigan, Clemson vs. Georgia Tech, and were at a Houston practice this past week.

Instead of the usual format, I watched the All-22 of those games and will rank each quarterback’s performances from when the Rams were in attendance.

1. LaNorris Sellers vs. Virginia Tech​

Back in Week 1 of the college football season, Rams general manager Les Snead was in attendance for South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech. That’s extremely notable considering that the Rams may be in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft and Sellers is one of the top-rated quarterbacks.

Sellers hasn’t had the best season, but it’s important to remember that these players are not finished products, and that’s especially the case for a player like Sellers. Sellers has some very raw moments, but he’s also capable of making plays only few on the planet are capable of making.

Throws like this are why you're "in" on LaNorris Sellers despite some of the rawness.

Ranks 15th in big time throw rate in college football this season because of throws like this. pic.twitter.com/1gO7JdrMEb

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

That last part is why Sellers is worth betting on. He has the arm talent in combination with the athletic ability to be a high-end starting quarterback. He may get some comparisons to Anthony Richardson. However, Richardson had 393 career pass attempts at the college level. Sellers is at 390 with half a season to go. He’s much more experienced and will have two seasons of being a starting quarterback under his belt.

This isn’t to say that Sellers is still raw and has a lot to work on. That was evident in the game that Snead was in attendance for back in Week 1. It makes sense for Sellers to want to rely on his athleticism, but that’s not going to always win in the NFL. He needs to show the ability to process what he’s seeing down the field and play on time. This is something that he’ll continue to work on and improve. We’ve already seen it since Week 1, but it is one of his weaknesses right now.

This is where I want to see Sellers continue to improve and it'll come with experience. Needs to be able to process quicker.

First play is a levels concept and is late. CB drifting down probably forces him to hold on to the ball…but ball has to be out quick in that situation. pic.twitter.com/PxVpWRIijs

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

While the highs may be very high and the lows very low right now, you can see the vision with Sellers. The Rams need a quarterback that can change the math on any given play. With Stafford, it’s his ability to unlock every area of the field. He also has an ability to unlock different arm angles and hit the ‘no look’ throws. Sellers changes the math with his elite athleticism and some of the issues that the Rams have had in short-yardage, aren’t issues with a mobile quarterback.

With all of that said, it’s hard to see Sellers as a fit in a McVay style offense. That’s not to say that he can’t be, but the Rams also don’t want to try and fit a square peg in a round hole. The 49ers tried to do it with Trey Lance and the Rams may be the team that can take advantage of Sellers’ skillset.

4th-and-5 with a chance to close the game.

Play doesn't show a lot of promise, but Sellers bounces outside and gets the game-clinching first down.

Math. Changing. pic.twitter.com/3LbG7Q3d1F

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma vs. Michigan​

I don’t typically like to do player comparisons, but the more I watch John Mateer closely, Matt Corral keeps coming to mind. Corral was a player that thrived in a RPO-based offense and had the arm to hit all the throws. Like Mateer, he was also athletic enough to make plays with his legs. From an intangibles perspective, Baker Mayfield does make some sense, but they are very different quarterbacks as well. Mateer’s running ability is a big part of the Oklahoma offense.

Again, Mateer can hit all of the throws, but there were times against Michigan in which his accuracy seemed off. That was especially the case on intermediate throws which the Rams love to be able to hit. Early in the game, Mateer hit a seam ball, but it was high. Later in the game, the same ball to the other side was too high and ended up as an interception. It’s something certainly worth noting. He did have some nice throws in this game though.

Same seam ball from Mateer.

Both sail a little high. His receiver makes a play on one, while the other is too high and ends up in an INT. pic.twitter.com/R3zQH9Qyw7

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

The big difference between Mateer and Sellers is how much they make running part of their games. Sellers is a run-first quarterback that can throw. Mateer is a pass-first quarterback that can run. That’s not to say that one is better or worse than the other. However, when it comes to the next quarterback that the Rams take, a pass-first quarterback that can run is likely to better suit what McVay wants.

Mateer isn’t going to create the number of explosive plays that Sellers does with his legs, but he still has the ability to make guys miss and pick up positive yardage. The Sooners use Mateer as a runner in short yardage situations and at the goal line. Despite his smaller frame, he still manages to have success.

This is the type of mobile QB that I think McVay is going to want.

John Mateer's game doesn't revolve around his mobility, but he can make plays.

Second play is a 4th-and-1 QB power and Mateer converts. Drives ends in a TD. pic.twitter.com/NHjqXLA9kN

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

Much like Corral, I don’t see Mateer as a first round quarterback, especially with the injury. This is a player that the Rams would want to target in the second round. Mateer does have arm talent, but from a technical standpoint, he has room to grow.

That was evident in the game against Michigan. It was undoubtedly a positive performance from Mateer. His best game of the season arguably came with the Rams in attendance.

Really nice job from John Mateer to step up and shake off the blitzer and then keeping his eyes downfield for a big play.

Throws an accurate ball on the move. pic.twitter.com/GOYFr1aUZj

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson vs. Georgia Tech​

There may only be one quarterback in college football who has disappointed as much as Klubnik. The Rams were in attendance for Clemson when they lost to Georgia Tech and that was a perfect representation for what Klubnik has done this season. He makes the hard things look easy and the easy things look hard. It’s worth noting that his wide receivers don’t consistently win on the outside and the offense can sometimes feel condensed. At the same time, the quarterback isn’t helping the cause.

Klubnik seems to want to throw the ball down the field and then when he gets chances, he hangs on to the ball.

Does not seem to trust what he's seeing. Has at least 2 open players here and tucks it.

Clemson offense can feel condensed, but QB also not helping the case. pic.twitter.com/ho84YGHfVL

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

There just hasn’t been a jump from Klubnik this season and instead of being arguably a top-10 pick, he’s probably more of a third-round player. The talent is clearly there and that’s what makes Klubnik’s performance this season so incredibly frustrating. It’s as if he’s pressing and trying to make too much happen. If he played within himself and waited for the big play opportunities, it would look a lot better.

In this game against Georgia Tech, Klubnik did a nice job bringing the Tigers back. Had that game gone to overtime, Clemson had the momentum in the second half and may have won it. Since then, it’s hard to be in on Klubnik. He deflected blame after the loss against Syracuse and seems to have a lot of maturing to do before leading an NFL team.

It's hard to just ignore these types of plays from Klubnik.

Fading away from pressure and places this ball perfectly over the underneath defender. pic.twitter.com/u3ebLnbIMU

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

4. Conner Weigman, Houston vs. Texas Tech​

It’s worth noting that the Rams weren’t reported to be in attendance for Houston vs. Texas Tech on Saturday. However, they did visit Houston’s practice on Wednesday and were seen talking with Houston offensive coordinator Slade Nagle. Presumably, the player of interest here would be Conner Weigman.

It’s hard to evaluate Weigman too much in this game as Texas Tech has a very good defense and clearly overmatched Houston. He also left halfway through with a concussion. Still, Weigman had some strong moments and should be a fourth round player. The arm talent is clearly there and he does bring some athleticism. Weigman is having a strong season, but not a lot of people are talking about it.

I don't think enough people are talking about Conner Weigman.

Texas Tech defense is very good and overmatched Houston. Weigman left with a concussion, but had a few good moments.

The 25-yard out before getting hit was impressive. pic.twitter.com/RpEyRyUGIH

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 6, 2025

HM: Sawyer Robertson, Baylor vs. Oklahoma St.​

The Rams were at the Baylor vs. Oklahoma State football game. However, unfortunately, I do not have the All-22 for this game. Robertson certainly looks the part at 6’4, 220 pounds. He did throw for 393 yards and four touchdowns in this game. At some point, I may try to get back to this one, but this is where we’re putting it for now without the All-22.

Who to Watch this Week​

• Alabama @ Missouri: 10/11, 12 p.m. – Ty Simpson
• Houston @ Oklahoma State: 10/11, 12 p.m. – Conner Weigman
• UCLA @ Michigan State: 10/11, 12 p.m. – Nico Iamaleava
• Indiana @ Oregon: 10/11, 3:30 p.m. – Fernando Mendoza & Dante Moore
• Oklahoma @ Texas: 10/11, 3:30 p.m. – John Mateer (if healthy) & Arch Manning
• Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech: 10/11, 3:30 p.m. – Haynes King
• Northwestern @ Penn State: 10/11, 3:30 p.m. – Drew Allar
• Southern Illinois @ North Dakota State, 10/11, 3:30 p.m. – Cole Payton
• Clemson @ Boston College: 10/11, 7:30 p.m. – Cade Klubnik
• South Carolina @ LSU: 10/11, 7:45 p.m. – LaNorris Sellers & Garrett Nussmeier
• Arizona State @ Utah: 10/11, 10:15 p.m. – Sam Leavitt

There are a few games in this week’s slate that everybody should be watching. Ty Simpson is a player that will get brought up as the season goes on with how he’s been playing. A game at Missouri won’t be easy. Headlining the weekend’s games is Indiana taking on Oregon. Mendoza will play against a legitimate opponent and we’ll see if Moore can continue at his current level. Lastly, in the evening, LaNorris Sellers and Garrett Nussmeier go head to head. Nussmeier hasn’t seemed healthy recently, but the bye week may have helped.

One other player to watch will be Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava had some hype coming into the season, but that has since fallen off significantly. With a new coach, he played well against Penn State. Can he continue? An FCS player getting some attention has been Cole Payton from North Dakota State. He’s a lefty with a big arm and can run.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-draft/128033/rams-qb-targets-2026-nfl-draft

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Should the Rams extend Quentin Lake?

The Los Angeles Rams have enjoyed some outstanding play out of fourth-year safety Quentin Lake after selecting him in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL draft. Lake has far exceeded his draft stock expectations, and now on the final year of his rookie contract, he will be no doubt be looking for a payday soon.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN this is something the Rams are aware of and interested in getting done at the right price.

“Quentin Lake is a do-it-all chess piece for Sean McVay’s defense, and the Rams are interested in retaining him if a deal makes sense.” explained Fowler.

That said, a deal may need to “make sense” sooner rather than later. Lake has quietly become the Rams’ most reliable defender and one of the most versatile in the NFL. Los Angeles opted not to resign Lake last year and now with each successful game his price tag is only growing as more teams take notice.

While LA has not spent big money to retain safeties in the past, Lake is no regular safety. Playing the star role of Chris Shula’s defense, Lake is all over, from coverage at safety to blitzing from the linebacker position, his impact can be felt anywhere. Lake’s ability to successfully play multiple positions is something head coach Sean McVay has taken notice of.

“He’s so versatile. He’s so tough,” McVay said. “The majority of his snaps are coming from the nickel slot position. He’s stout. He’s a complete football player… I love Quentin Lake. I’m really grateful to be working with him and I’ve been really pleased and proud of what he’s done.”

Against Tennessee Week 2, Lake was graded a 89.3 from PFF, allowing just two catches for four yards while adding a pressure and seven tackles. A week later, he topped that with a 91.2 grade versus the Eagles, breaking up four passes — tied for the third-most in a single game by a Rams defender.

Lake was one of the few defensive bright spots against the 49ers last Thursday as well, totaling 11 tackles (seven solo) and a pass breakup. In just five games so far, Lake has played every single defensive snap while racking up 33 tackles and nine passes defended.

McVay again praised Lake on the “Coach McVay Show,” calling him “a total stud” and “everywhere” on the field.

Lake has earned a pay bump, and clearly the team and coaching staff love him, but it will remain to be seen how it will be handle. Taking into considerate WR Puka Nacua, DT Kobie Turner and Edge rusher Byron Young are all going to be up for contracts over the next year or so makes the decision that much more difficult. On top of that, pass rush duo Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are coming up right behind them. While Lake has been a pivot part of the Rams secondary this season, is his value enough to put him above one of those guys?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-roster/128157/los-angeles-rams-quentin-lake-resign

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Should Rams consider trading a first-round pick?

One of the biggest stories of the college football season through the first month and a half is what’s happening at the quarterback position. Players who were supposed to take that next step and solidify themselves as top-10 picks haven’t done so. Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik have dropped out of the first-round conversation. Meanwhile, the media is now trying to force Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, John Mateer, and others into it. The real kicker here is that the Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks next season.

When the Rams acquired the second first-round pick from the Atlanta Falcons, it was presumed that it would be to take a quarterback in a stronger class. However, this hasn’t turned out to be the special quarterback class that many expected. That’s not to say it’s bad, but there may be more replacement-level starters and backups than true franchise quarterbacks.

Outside of quarterback, this also isn’t a strong tackle class with a lot of uncertainty. Kadyn Proctor has been inconsistent and Spencer Fano could go in the top five. Auburn’s Xavier Chaplin is talented, but still has a lot of rawness in his game. The Auburn connection will bring comparisons to Greg Robinson.

This simply might not be a strong first-round at positions in which the Rams have needs. In The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner’s recent mock draft, he had the Rams taking Dante Moore at quarterback and Caleb Lomu at tackle. Justin Melo of The Draft Network gave the Rams cornerback Avieon Terrell and tackle Isaiah World. Terrell is a solid cornerback, but that’s partially the point here.

This may not be a draft class in which you want to have multiple selections in the first-round. The Rams can address one need in the first-round rather than having to force two selections. It’s possible that the Rams could trade back again and pick up a 2027 first round pick, but it’s also not a guarantee by any means.

A sentiment that I’ve consistently stuck to since the Rams acquired the extra first-round pick was that it was an asset that gave them flexibility. As I noted in August,

This is exactly why the Rams made the trade in April for the extra first-round pick. It’s an asset that gives them flexibility. While it has been assumed that they use the extra first-round pick to make a move for a rookie quarterback, it also doesn’t have to be used for that purpose. The Rams could also use that pick to make a trade for a player that puts them in position to win.

Does there become a point in which the Rams consider or should consider trading one of their two first-round picks from next year’s draft to help them in the now? This isn’t to say that they need to mortgage their future or go full “f them picks” again. However, at one point do the Rams put more of their chips in on this current window?

Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level. With Stafford at 37 years old, these types of seasons are limited and it makes sense to take advantage of it. Just because Stafford is playing at this level now, doesn’t mean he has three more years like this or that he’ll even continue playing like this over the course of 17 games. None of it is guaranteed.

If next year’s class isn’t as strong at quarterback or in the first-round, is it more realistic now to trade one of those two selections for a player that may be able to help push for a second Super Bowl with Stafford? Getting a quarterback post-Stafford should be a priority. At the same time, it’s also not something that should be forced. The Rams did this with Joe Noteboom trying to find an heir post-Andrew Whitworth. Whatever the Rams decide to do at quarterback post-Stafford will be the single most important decision that this regime has had to face.

Waiting too long could also put them in a situation in which the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots found themselves with Kenny Pickett and Mac Jones. It’s finding that balance and the right player which is easier in theory than in practice.

Again, the Rams finding that next quarterback post-Stafford is very important. At the same time, it should be equally as important for the Rams to try and capitalize on this window considering how well Stafford is playing. If the opportunity arises, for the right player, the extra first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft should absolutely be on the table in a trade package.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-draft/128152/rams-first-round-picks-trade-options

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Emmanuel Forbes is not the Rams’ problem at CB

Over the past month, the issues at cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams have become evident. While it was a group that was able to hold their own with Ahkello Witherspoon on the field, Witherspoon is out for the next 2.5 months. This has since been a group that’s allowed big plays to the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts. They’ve also been a big reason for losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

However, the fact that it took one injury at cornerback to derail the perimeter defense is the underlying issue at the position. The Eagles passing offense has largely struggled for much of the season. When Jalen Hurts attacked the Rams down the field in the second half, he completed seven of nine passes of 10+ air yards for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Without Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, and George Kittle, Jones threw for 342 yards which were his most in a single game since 2022.

On passes in the intermediate area of the field, the Rams have the third-worst pass defense, allowing 0.76 EPA per pass. That’s the area of the field in which quarterbacks are going to test cornerbacks. In Weeks 1-2 with Witherspoon, the Rams allowed four of eight passes on the outside in this area of the field for 68 yards. Over the next two games without Witherspoon, the defense allowed six of six passes for 102 yards.

Without Witherspoon, the Rams have had to rely on Emmanuel Forbes and Darious Williams. Williams has allowed seven receptions on 11 targets while Forbes has allowed 11 catches on 13 targets. Forbes is one of three cornerbacks to allow a passer rating of 158.3 when targeted during Weeks 2-5 and has also given up three touchdowns. His 17.2 yards per reception is among the 10 highest and that doesn’t mention Forbes’ 30 percent missed tackle rate.

Forbes has essentially become Derion Kendrick without the penalties. He simply can’t be relied on in coverage. Williams only looks better in comparison, but he has also struggled on the perimeter. A fall-off for a 32-year-old cornerback was always going to happen. Relying on both of these players is the underlying issue because it didn’t need to be this way.

For the first time this season, the Rams had a pressure rate under 40 percent against the 49ers. Instead of a top-10 pressure rate for the week, they were inside the bottom-five. For a defense that predicates itself on creating pressure and havoc with its defensive line, they were unable to do so in Week 5. The question heading into the season was always how the cornerbacks would hold up when pressure didn’t arrive. What happened against the 49ers was the answer.

Heading into the offseason, the Rams always had questions at the cornerback position. They opted not to break the bank for a player like Charvarius Ward who has been the second-best cornerback in football this season per PFF. They opted not to trade for Jalen Ramsey who has ranked fifth. Isaiah Rodgers signed for $5.5 million per year and is PFF’s top cornerback.

For the record, the Rams had the cap space to add any of these players. They currently have $15 million in cap space. An investment at cornerback seems like it may have been better than a $10 million investment for a No. 4 wide receiver.

WRs lined up against Isaiah Rodgers this season:

Week 1, Rome Odunze: 2 rec, 13 yards
Week 2, Drake London: 1 rec, 21 yards
Week 3, Tee Higgins: 0 rec, 0 yards
Week 4, DK Metcalf: 1 rec, 14 yards
Week 5, Jerry Jeudy: 0 rec, 0 yards pic.twitter.com/oJ5WfrzOav

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) October 6, 2025

During the draft, the Rams didn’t address the cornerback position at all. They took Terrance Ferguson over Will Johnson. Johnson has allowed just a 55.6 percent reception rate on targets. The Rams drafted Chris Paul Jr. who didn’t make the roster over Denzel Burke who is also having a strong rookie season.

Instead, the Rams took the high floor with known commodities in Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams. They also operated with the idea that they were gaining a first-round talent in Forbes. At the same time, there was evidence that Forbes may not work out. The issue here isn’t that Forbes hasn’t developed as hoped. Many of the issues that he’s currently having are issues that he had in Washington. The primary and underlying issue to the Rams’ problems at cornerback is putting all of their eggs in the Forbes basket instead of properly addressing the position.

Now, the options are rolling with Forbes or experimenting with several undrafted free agents at the position or a player that the team signed a few weeks ago. When asked if the Rams were considering adding a cornerback, head coach Sean McVay said, “That hasn’t been something that we’ve talked about. I think, those guys did a good job and we’ll continue to lean into them.”

It’s possible that McVay is putting on a poker face. With Matthew Stafford playing at a MVP-level, the Rams have to take advantage of it. They can’t let a season like this go to waste. That’s not to say that they need to mortgage the future, but they absolutely should be looking to add a cornerback that can raise the level of the secondary.

The Rams’ systemic issues cornerback situation isn’t just about one player underperforming. This is about the path that the team chose and the risks that they opted to take. They bet on patchwork solutions and are now paying that price. They doubled down on short-term answers and hoped for development that hasn’t come. The warning signs at cornerback were clear all offseason and if the Rams are serious about making a push for a Super Bowl, it’s something that they’ll need to address.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...rams-defense-needs-cornerback-emmanuel-forbes

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams-Ravens: Defenses trending in different directions

The Los Angeles Rams (3-2) are traveling to the east coast for the third time already this year to face the Baltimore Ravens (1-4). I believe the Rams are better than what their 3-2 record indicates but you are what your record says you are. The running back position, secondary breakdowns, and special teams woes have held Los Angeles back from reaching their potential. Where do I rank them going into their Week 6 tilt with Baltimore? Check out my position by position breakdown for each team below.

QB Breakdown: Who had Matthew Stafford leading the NFL in passing yards after five weeks on their bingo card? Especially after he missed the majority of training camp because of his back injury. Stafford also leads all quarterbacks in 20+ yard throws, longest throw, and is tied for first with Prescott in first downs. Stafford has been nearly dominant to start the NFL season and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Matthew Stafford is one of the most talented players the NFL has ever seen and it doesn’t get discussed enough.

What a throw to put the #Rams in striking distance. pic.twitter.com/OPf2tHnQNs

— Brandon Park (@Brandon_Park_) October 3, 2025

The Ravens will likely be without Lamar Jackson for a second straight week due to his lingering hamstring injury. With the bye week next week, it would seem that Baltimore would ensure that Lamar is healthy and able to return as the starter for Week 8. Cooper Rush seems destined to get the start again.

RBs Breakdown: The concerns of Kyren Williams have not gone away. Ball security remains a significant issue. Williams and Corum had accounted for 3 fumbles lost in 5 games. The yards per rush has been a bright spot but the explosive yards are still not there.

I'm sorry…whatever side on the Kyren Williams debate you are on.

That CANNOT happen in that spot. You HAVE to be mindful there.

This is someone the Rams extended. He now has 11 fumbles in just over two years. Has cost them in HUGE spots.

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 3, 2025

The Ravens offense runs through Derrick Henry. The 10 year vet is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and has found the endzone four times. Maybe the most shocking piece has been Henry having yet to eclipse 20 rushing attempts in a game this year.

WRs Breakdown: Puka Nacua continues to lead the offense (and NFL) in receiving with 588 yards. He found the endzone again via a creative play design by McVay to use Adams as a shield within the redzone. As for Davante Adams, he is putting together an under the radar season as WR2. He brought in 5 receptions (11 targets) for 88 yards against the 49ers. He is currently on pace for 1214 yards and 10 touchdowns. Pretty elite numbers for a WR2. Tutu Atwell continues to show up big moments. JB Long highlighted this in his 1 on 1 show with Sean McVay. If there was a player that was hurt most by Stafford’s training camp absence, it was Tutu Atwell. Some people might point to Adams but as a seasoned veteran, you’ve seen his ability to still get connected with Stafford.

Watching Matthew Stafford toy with defenders will never get old.

Rams QB uses his eyes to open the throwing window. Throws behind the linebacker and hits Davante Adams in stride. pic.twitter.com/7TFiDubSMe

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 3, 2025

The Ravens wide receiver room is actually very talented with Flowers, Bateman, and Hopkins; giving Baltimore its best core this century? But who can they get the ball in their hands? Maybe to some degree like Los Angeles, Baltimore has been one dimensional in how they are distributing their targets. Currently it stands as: 36:20:9 respectively.

TEs Breakdown: Rams fans got a taste of what Terrance Ferguson can do and now they will plead even more for him to be featured in the passing attack. Parkinson seems likely to miss this game; giving LA three options with Higbee, Allen, and Ferguson. Higbee has been shaken up as of late so this could be a game where the Rams do in fact rely on Ferguson.

Not to rag on Colby Parkinson at all because this is a tough catch to make, but this is where I'd like to see more Terrance Ferguson.

If he's not ready for a full-time role that's fine, but surely he can play some passing downs and redzone and make an impact. pic.twitter.com/dY4aP3yJCE

— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) October 3, 2025

Mark Andrews remains a threat in the passing game helping to move the chains. Isaiah Likely is still working his way back from injury; having just 1 reception so far.

OL Breakdown: The Rams are projecting for Steve Avila to return to the starting offensive line rotation. Based on McVay’s comments, it seems like he was having to earn that spot back based on performance and not just working back from injury. Rob Havenstein remains questionable but LA could have its Week 1 rotation back on the field together.

The Ravens offensive line had been without Ronnie Stanley but he is set to return this week. Linderbaum is the anchor for their line. A top 3 center according to PFF because of his run blocking but he has had issues with pass blocking (48.0 pass block grade). Vorhees, Faalele, and Rosengarten have been pretty mediocre at best at the LG, RG, and RT spots respectively. Will we get a Joseph Noteboom appearance?

DL Breakdown: Los Angeles has been stout against the run. Their investment in Poona Ford has paid off. Against another premier name, Christian McCaffrey, the Rams kept him in check on the ground. They have another big test this week against King Henry. This could be a game where if BAL is forced to pass a lot, Braden Fiske could get his name in the sack column.

Baltimore’s defensive front without Madubuike is bad. Urban, Jenkins, and Jones have a combined 10 pressures and 0 sacks.

EDGE Breakdown: Jared Verse has vaulted himself into the top 3 for edge rushers; posting a strong 91.4 defensive grade. Verse has been remarkable in run defense and pass rush; posting 73.0 and 90.5 grades in those respective areas.

With 5 pressures in Week 5, Jared Verse tied Nick Bosa as the second-fastest player to reach 100 career pressures (22 games). Only Joey Bosa reached the mark in fewer games (21 games). pic.twitter.com/M0ziFJN6K1

— Los Angeles Rams PR (@TheLARamsPR) October 6, 2025

Mike Green and Tavius Robinson are two of the lowest graded edge rushers in the NFL. Robinson leads the defense with his 2 sacks.

LB Breakdown: Omar Speights will not be on the field for Sunday’s game; leaving the Rams with a decision of whether to pair Troy Reeder or Shaun Dolac with Nate Landman. My vote is for Dolac as we saw how terrible Reeder looked when tasked with trying to cover Christian McCaffrey on the goal line.

Baltimore will be relying heavily on Trenton Simpson, a third year player from Clemson. The best linebacker amongst the two teams seems to be Nate Landman.

DB Breakdown: The Rams secondary on paper isn’t that bad. The problem is that the team doesn’t have a playmaker or someone that can erase an opposing team’s No. 1 WR. The group is very inconsistent week to week. I’d like to see them upgrade the team with a guy like L’Jarius Sneed. More cost efficient than someone like Denzel Ward.

The strongest positional unit on defense for the Ravens is their secondary. Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, and Kyle Hamilton are three first rounders. They are joined by TJ Tampa and Alohi Gilman. The defense may be giving up a lot of yards and points but the defensive line has gotten minimal pressure putting a ton of strain on the secondary.

ST Breakdown: Lost in yet another special teams debacle was Ethan Evans performance in Week 5. Evans punted twice; averaging 55.0/punt and landing both inside the 20. Alas, the Rams special teams continue to plague them because of blocked extra points and field goals. Not only did a crucial extra point get blocked but Karty missed a 53 yard field goal. That’s 3 of the last 4 weeks with an issue happening on kicks.

Loop will be doing the kicking for Baltimore. He is 8 of 9 on his attempts this year; missing this past week from 50+. Stout will handle the punting duties. He’s averaging 47.1 net yards per punt. Comparatively, Evans is only averaging a net of 40.9/punt.

COACHING Breakdown: Sean McVay has been extraordinary in 2025. Even with the offensive line having missing parts, the explosive aerial attack is encouraging. Chris Shula’s defense has been a little worrisome the past two games against castoffs Daniel Jones and Mac Jones. Hopefully, he has found a way to address the secondary where teams are exploiting Emmanuel Forbes.

John Harbaugh finds himself in unfamiliar territory. His team is 1-4 and tied with Cleveland for last place in the AFC North. This might be the weakest Ravens team I have seen in my memory and that is saying something.

Which matchups do you like the most for the Rams in this one? The least? How many yards does Puka Nacua finish with? Number of sacks for the defense? Let me know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-roster/128193/rams-ravens-matchup-position-breakdowns

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5 Keys to Victory: Did Rams learn from previous mistakes?

The Los Angeles Rams take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 following 10 days of rest and a disappointing loss to the San Francisco 49ers. After 10 days, we’ll finally get to see how this Rams team responds to that adversity. This game has gotten easier than it seemed at the beginning of the season with the Ravens sitting at 1-4. At the same time, the Rams tend to like to make things more interesting than they need to be. Following their mini-bye, the question will be whether the Rams have learned from their past mistakes and can begin to rattle off some wins. Here are this week’s keys to victory.

Contain Derrick Henry​

Over the past month, the Los Angeles Rams have played quite the gauntlet of running backs. They’ve faced Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, and Christian McCaffrey all in succession. Barkley’s 27.8 percent success rate against the Rams is his lowest of the season. Taylor’s success rate of 35.3 percent against the Rams was also his lowest of the season. McCaffrey had a season-low of 2.6 yards per carry against the Rams defense. Now, the Rams will take on Derrick Henry.

Following a season in which Henry nearly had 2,000 yards rushing, the Ravens’ running back is having a down season. He’s averaged less than two yards per carry in two of the Ravens’ six games. Henry has been contacted behind the line of scrimmage at the 4th-highest rate among running backs. Additionally, he’s rushed for 50 or fewer yards in each of his last four games. That’s the longest such drought in his career. It feels as if Henry may be due for a big game, but the Rams need to ensure that it doesn’t come against them.

Attack Ravens Cornerbacks​

If there has been one way to exploit the Ravens defense this season, it has been at cornerback and in the secondary. As a defense, the Ravens are allowing the fifth-most EPA per pass and ninth-most yards per pass. This is a defense that isn’t getting pressure on the quarterback. Last week, CJ Stroud had his best game of the season, throwing for 244 yards and four touchdowns against the Ravens defense. Marlon Humphrey and Jaire Alexander have allowed a combined 20 receptions for 332 yards and two touchdowns while only recording a single pass defended.

The good news for the Rams is that Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP-level. It’s very possible that he could be in for another big game. While the Rams typically struggle against man coverage, they’ve done well against it in 2025. The Ravens have used man coverage on 38.9 percent of opponent dropbacks which is the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. Against man coverage, Stafford is 40-59 for 501 yards with 6 TDs and 0 INTs with a 127.9 passer rating. The addition of Davante Adams has helped with that as he has 124 yards receiving against man coverage. However, Nacua has improved in this area as well. his 4.19 yards per route against man ranks second in the NFL.

Don’t play passive on defense​

Against Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams defense played the most passive that it has this season. It was as if they had underrated Jones and the 49ers offense and expected a Shanahan offense to simply not take what was available. The Rams defense can’t make the same mistake in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.

It is likely that the Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson as he manages a hamstring injury. That will leave them with Cooper Rush at quarterback. While Jones is a much better quarterback than Rush and Shanahan a better offensive mind than Todd Monken, they still can’t be underrated. The Rams need to come out with an aggressive game plan and play at the level that they’re capable of for 60 minutes. Rush is a quarterback who can be forced into mistakes, and the Rams need to capitalize on them.

Tackle in the Secondary and Avoid Explosives​

Last week, the Rams secondary had 12 missed tackles, led by Jaylen McCollough with four. Emmanuel Forbes had a missed tackle as did Kam Kinchens and Kam Curl. Since Week 3, Forbes has the third-highest missed tackle rate at 42.9 percent. The Ravens will likely try to test Forbes and the Rams defensive backs when it comes to tackling Henry. Additionally, Zay Flowers has the sixth-most yards after the catch this season.

This is a Ravens offense that thrives on creating explosive plays. With Rush under center against the Texans, the Ravens offense created just three explosive plays which was their second-fewest in a game going back to 2016. In Weeks 1-4, they were creating an explosive play at a rate of 20.5 percent which led the NFL. The Rams can’t allow Henry to break off big runs or Flowers to get loose after the catch.

Play a Clean Game​

This is a game that the Rams should be able to win comfortably. The issue is that this could’ve been said last week as well. This could have been said at halftime in Week 3, and it took a second-half surge for it to happen against the Tennessee Titans.

The Ravens have only created two turnovers on defense all season. In what may be a rainy game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the offense needs to protect the football. With 10 days of rest, this needs to be a game in which the Rams come out focused and play their first complete game of the season.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...victory-did-rams-learn-from-previous-mistakes

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Fan confidence in Rams plummeted after loss

Only days after Rams fan confidence reached a season peak of 96%, the Thursday Night Football loss to the San Francisco 49ers had many L.A. faithful wary of their beliefs moving forward. In Week 6’s SB Nation Reacts poll asking fans if they are confident in the direction of the team, just 56% said that they were.

That’s a drop of 40% in one week!

So far this season, the fan confidence poll has yielded results of 95%, 94%, 94%, 84%, and 96%, staying above 80% for the entire season including after the blocked FG loss to the Eagles.

Does that loss to the Eagles need to be redefined though after Philadelphia’s most recent games? The Eagles have not looked like a dominant team, or even one of the NFC’s best teams, since beating the Rams. Perhaps that too would have an impact on next week’s poll after the Eagles lost to the Giants on Thursday.

Do you agree that confidence has to wane a bit after the loss or is this an overreaction to the 49ers playing a very solid game on a short week?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...0/fan-confidence-in-rams-plummeted-after-loss

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Does Harbaugh want to trade for Corum?

The Los Angeles Chargers are seeking a running back on the trade market. Does Jim Harbaugh want back his old Michigan running back? If Blake Corum hasn’t been the player that the Rams hoped he would be as a third round pick in 2024, perhaps they could recoup their draft investment to some degree.

The Chargers are calling teams around the league for running back help, per Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport pic.twitter.com/nNwrK82k8c

— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) October 12, 2025

The Rams have extended Kyren Williams for three more years after 2025 and drafted Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round, meaning both running backs are under contract through 2028. Corum is in his second season after being drafted out of Michigan, but has had just 92 touches for Sean McVay. Those opportunities waned in Week 5, as Corum got just six snaps against the 49ers and has struggled when the ball has been passed to him this year.

As a running back for Harbaugh at Michigan, Corum had two top-10 Heisman finishes and scored 61 times in three seasons.

In a post for NFL.com, Ian Rapoport mentioned that the Chiefs are also seeking a running back on the trade market and that options like Breece Hall and Alvin Kamara have expressed a desire to not be traded.

If the Rams are not going to use Corum, they should be open to trading him. If they do trade Corum, they’re going to have be confident in Hunter, a player who has seen no action during his rookie season. It’s odd that the Rams have spent two mid-round picks on two backs who they don’t use, but would they be better off with more mid-round picks in the future?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-rumors/128304/chargers-trade-rumors-blake-corum

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Good, Bad and Ugly: Can this team play ONE complete game?!

The Los Angeles Rams got a much-needed win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Los Angeles avoided another letdown over a beatable opponent. Baltimore, without Lamar Jackson, battled for as long as they possibly could until things fell apart in the second half.

Let’s dive into the good, the bad and the ugly from the win over the Jackson-less Ravens.

The Good​

Defense saves the offense’s keister once more​

In a game where the offense did jack crap through a painfully ugly first half, the defense decided to throw them a bone, or two. More on that in a moment.

With the Ravens closing in on scoring the game’s first touchdown near the end of the first half, the defense stopped Baltimore on downs. I’ll show a video of the series to spare myself the hand cramps from all the writing I’d have to do:

–Derrick Henry gets the Ravens from the Rams 32-yard line to the Rams 1-yard line single-handedly

–The call is then to take the ball away from Henry on two lame tush -push snaps to Mark Andrews (the second probably was a fumble)

–Jared Verse blows it all up on fourth down. pic.twitter.com/TyNiDWpKFj

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 12, 2025

That was the momentum shift that carried over to the rest of the team following halftime. During the Rams’ dominant third quarter, the defense forced two fumbles, and that led to the scoring outburst that I’ll get to in the next section.

The MVP of the game went to linebacker Nate Landman, who had 17 combined tackles in the win, the most by a Rams defender since 2000. Landman deserves a massive extension to remain in Hollywood long-term. Until then, he’ll have to settle for being Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game.

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The team might not be a championship contender right now—more so offensively—but the defense is an elite unit and will continue helping L.A. win ugly games.

Third quarter explosion​

Something had to give for the Rams in a 3-3 game at the half. The Ravens’ godawful defense, which was playing way above its level, was going to fold at some point. Thank goodness that it happened in the third quarter, as Los Angeles went on a 14-0 run after the break.

First, Kyren Williams started the run with a three-yard touchdown run. Then, Tyler Higbee capped off the scoring with his first touchdown of the season.

Absolutely incredible TD celly from Tyler Higbee here

LARvsBAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6aIcDRBoRd

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025

The TD celly was indeed absolutely incredible, by the way. Stanky leg for the win baby!

Anyway, in a surprisingly low-scoring affair, the one-quarter outburst was much-needed. The defense was the biggest contributor to the scoring run, forcing two fumbles, yet the offense did its job in capitalizing on the turnovers. It wasn’t pretty, because why would the Rams ever make it easy? However, you got to give credit where it’s due.

The Bad​

Joshua Karty is still the Rams’ kicker … WHY?!​

Joshua Karty entered the weekend with five missed kicks, tied for the league high, and has had an NFL-high four kicks blocked, according to ESPN.

What did Karty do this week? Oh, miss another field goal. (SIGH) What else is new?

Sound up for the doink

LARvsBAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/RaS8oVnzGe

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025

If the slow starts aren’t going to cost the Rams, then Karty will. Well, he already cost the team in the Eagles. It doesn’t take too much to invest in a quality kicker. Younghoe Koo was available for a time earlier in the season and is now with the Giants. Even former Ram Lucas Havrisik had a great game in Green Bay on Sunday.

The Packers hold off the Bengals 27-18 after the two teams combine for 28 points in the fourth quarter.

Lucas Havrisik was exceptional in relief of McManus (2-for-2 on field goals, 3-for-3 on extra points).

Green Bay improves to 3-1-1.

— weston hodkiewicz (@WesHod) October 12, 2025

Um, why did Les Snead decide to let him go again? Special teams is clearly L.A.’s biggest weakness overall, and like I’m alluding to, it’s going to cost them in another big game down the road if something doesn’t change soon.

Run defense took a step back​

After holding Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey in check the last three games, King Henry broke the dam that was the Rams’ run defense.

Derrick Henry was the first 100-yard rusher L.A. has allowed this season, going for 122 yards on 24 carries. In total, the Ravens rushed for 179 yards as a team. This comes after Henry was held to 50 yards or fewer in four straight games, which tied the longest streak of his career.

Granted, rushing was the only thing Baltimore could remotely do competently on offense. Still, it was a tad deflating considering the hot streak the unit was on.

The Ugly​

Painfully slow starts are going to cost this team eventually​

I don’t know what it is about this team, but the Rams seem unable to play a complete game to save their lives. Perhaps it’s in their nature not to, who knows. What I do know is that the slow starts are a terrible habit to have gotten into, and eventually it’ll cost them.

Scoring only three points against a defense that was allowing just over 35 points coming in was inexcusable. The offense obviously made up for it in the third quarter, yet the Ravens were a team that should’ve been put away in the first half.

L.A. might be the ugliest “good-looking” team in the NFL, which is a crazy statement to make given the Packers exist.

On one hand, good, even great teams, are supposed to win these types of games, even when they’re not playing at their best. However, nothing about the Rams this season has shown that they’re anything more than a playoff contender. They’re clearly good enough to make the dance, but thinking anything more than a Super Bowl is kooky at this point. In one of the most wide-open seasons in recent memory, very little of what they’re doing might be good enough come playoff time.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-news/128370/rams-ravens-good-bad-ugly-sluggish-start

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Random Ramsdom: If no Nacua, McVay has an opportunity

Obviously, the Los Angeles Rams are better with their best players, that’s math and science, but if Puka Nacua doesn’t play on Sunday, then Sean McVay has a golden opportunity to show that even without his star wideout, he can still scheme up plays with the best of them.

The fact is that if Puka misses time, then this could be a blessing in disguise as is gives other players a chance to shine, and it may force McVay and Matthew Stafford to find solutions without Nacua and spread the ball around.

In the NFL (and in life), you have to find silver linings where you can, and if the Rams can find a way to win on Sunday without Nacua, then that’s a big-time silver lining.

Thank you to our readers, lurkers and commenters, we appreciate you! Please comment on whatever you want and thanks for checking out Turf Show Times!

Rams say Puka Nacua dodged long-term injury with ankle sprain (espn.com)​

“BALTIMORE — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has an ankle sprain, coach Sean McVay said, but the team believes Nacua avoided a long-term injury on Sunday.

“We’ll be day-to-day with him,” McVay said Monday. “Initially, he felt pretty good today, but we’ll just see how the week progresses.”

Nacua sprained his left ankle in the second quarter of the Rams’ 17-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens while attempting to catch a pass in the end zone. He got up slowly after the play and started to walk off the field. After taking a few steps, Nacua went back to the ground and was checked out by the team’s medical staff.“

Good, Bad & Ugly: “[The Rams] wanted it more than us” (russellstreetreport)​

“A favorite to win the AFC North just a week ago despite a (1-4) record, the Ravens are now underdogs in the North. The Steelers at (4-1) are now the favorites and there’s little reason to think that things will change despite the season being just 6 weeks old. It’s been a long 6 weeks and the bye week will feel like an eternity.

For the next 2 weeks, the stench of this start will linger like road kill on a freshly tarred boulevard during the sweltering days of July.

Only four teams have survived a (1-5) start to recover and punch their postseason dance card. When reminded of the daunting odds facing the Ravens, head coach John Harbaugh quipped: “Good, good. What an opportunity.”

Fly fits from our Week 6 win! pic.twitter.com/PvoA6LFPKA

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 13, 2025

Rams’ Chris Shula just inked his name on NFL head-coaching candidates list (ramblinfan)​

“Furthermore, the rumblings from Ravens fans inspired Sports Illustrated author Brock Vierra to suggest the Week 6 clash between Baltimore and the Los Angeles Rams was an audition for defensive coordinator Chris Shula for a potential vacancy for the Ravens’ head-coaching position.

Chris Shula just inked his name to the short list of head-coaching candidates​

The truth of the matter is that some experts projected Harbaugh to be on the hot seat as soon as the team started to spiral downwards this season. And the most recent list from Barnwell confirms that to be the case. Still, it’s a bit naive to believe that one bad season means the end of Harbaugh’s tenure.“

First career INT for @quentin_lake!

More highlights on https://t.co/ugyQZr9YBj pic.twitter.com/pKwvtOjoNO

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 13, 2025

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-news/128467/rams-news-puka-nacua-week-7

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Could Rams’ next QB follow theme of failed top draft picks?

It feels odd to be consistently discussing the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback situation post-Matthew Stafford during a season in which the team sits at 4-2. Matthew Stafford has also had an incredible start to the year, playing at an MVP level. Had the Rams gotten off to a similar start as they did in 2023 and 2024, it would make more sense, but this is a team that sits among the top contenders in the NFL. With that said, it also goes to show just how important that decision is for the Rams.

We’re going to attempt to walk and chew gum at the same time here. We can enjoy the ride and appreciate what Stafford is currently doing in his twilight years while also looking ahead to the future and what the potential options might be.

Over the past five years, there has been a rise in late-breakout quarterbacks in the NFL. In a society in which we want instant gratification, patience has proven to be important when it comes to young quarterbacks. Geno Smith went from being a bust to a borderline top-10 quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks. Baker Mayfield was cast aside by the Cleveland Browns and is playing at an MVP level with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sam Darnold turned his career around last season with the Minnesota Vikings while Daniel Jones is doing the same this year with the Indianapolis Colts. In a sense, Jared Goff is part of that career trajectory, playing some of his best football the last two years with the Detroit Lions.

On Monday, the Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan after drafting Cam Ward back in April. Given how Darnold has looked again in 2025 and the resurgence of Daniel Jones, it’s a reminder that organizations tend to fail quarterbacks more than quarterbacks fail organizations. Coaching and situation matter and too often organizations don’t provide that infrastructure for a young quarterback. No matter what the Rams do at the quarterback position, there should be confidence that the player will have the benefit of entering a great organization.

With the Rams having two first round picks in the 2026 draft class, a lot of focus has been on which rookies that the team could have interest in and who would be the best fit. At the same time, given how the 2026 quarterback class has performed, the Rams also don’t have to address the position in the draft. It’s very possible that the Rams sign or trade for an experienced quarterback. Some believe that this would actually be head coach Sean McVay’s preferred method as to not have to go through the development phase.

A common theme of all the quarterbacks listed above was that they were failed top picks, spent some time as a backup, and then got an opportunity with an organization that had a better support system. Outside of Geno Smith, all of those quarterbacks were in their age-27 or 28 season. Additionally, they all had 30 or more starts and outside of Smith, they all had 20 or more wins. However, Smith did win 38.7 percent of his starts. All of those quarterbacks won or tied at least 35 percent of their starts. Outside of Goff, they also all spent some time as a backup.

If the Rams opt to go that route, who might fit that mold of a quarterback in their age-27 or 28 season that could have a career resurgence? Two quarterbacks that immediately come to mind:

• Zach Wilson: Age 26, 33 starts with 12 wins (36.3%), 1 season as backup
• Mac Jones: Age 27, 53 starts with 23 wins (43.4%), 2 seasons as backup

Outside of those two quarterbacks, you start to look outside some of the thresholds. Justin Fields has a lot of starts, but has only won 28.6 percent of his games. Kenny Pickett has won 15 games, but only has 25 starts which is under 30. Tua Tagovailoa would be on the older side, as he’s currently 27. From there, you start to look ahead and predict the future. How committed to Bryce Young are the Carolina Panthers?

If you follow the theme of former Jets first-round quarterbacks that found a way to succeed elsewhere, Wilson may be the best bet. The quarterback landscape in the NFL can change very quickly. While Wilson may not provide a lot of optimism, arm talent was never an issue with him. An offense like McVay’s could provide him the easy answers and infrastructure needed to succeed.

At the end of the day, the Rams are going to have options and it doesn’t just have to be in the draft. There may be a veteran that unexpectedly becomes available similar to Mayfield in 2022. It’s also unknown how much longer Stafford could play. There is speculation that this year or next year could be his last. If he continues to play at a high level, he may have three years left.

It may still be early to have these discussions, but given the importance of the decision, it is something worth bringing up while also still appreciating what Stafford and the Rams offense are currently achieving. If anything, having these discussions makes you not want it to end and appreciate it that much more.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a.../rams-qb-options-matthew-stafford-zach-wilson

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Will Rams make a deadline trade? Don’t count on it

The Los Angeles Rams sit at 4-2 heading into Week 7 and are seen as one of the top contenders in the NFC. Through six weeks, the Rams rank fourth in DVOA and are one of two teams with an offense and defense inside the top five. With Matthew Stafford at 37 years old, it would make sense for the Rams to do whatever they can to capitalize on this window.

Rams general manager Les Snead has never been afraid to make a move in the past. This isn’t to say that the Rams are going to go into “f them picks” mode, but it’s worth wondering if the team will make a move at the trade deadline. The Rams remained quiet during their mini-bye following their loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While the Rams head to London on Sunday to play the Jacksonville Jaguars, they will have their bye week which lands right before the November 4 trade deadline.

Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Rams simply remain content with what they have. There is no doubt that the Rams could use a cornerback. Without Ahkello Witherspoon, their defensive backs have been especially vulnerable on the perimeter. With that said, when McVay was asked about this a few weeks ago, it didn’t seem to be something that the Rams are exploring. Said, McVay.

That hasn’t been something that we’ve talked about. You know, we’re always looking at ways to be able to upgrade the roster. I think, those guys did a good job and we’ll continue to lean into them.”

That could simply be coach’s speak and McVay not giving out too much information. It’s possible that the Rams used the mini-bye to ‘temperature check’ where teams were at on specific players. However, early trade deadline buzz doesn’t suggest that the Rams will be active on the trade market.

Prior to Week 6’s slate of games, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini put out what she was hearing regarding the upcoming trade deadline. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano also shared what they were hearing along with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Here are some of those bullet points:

• San Francisco is canvassing the pass rusher market.
• The Eagles insist they have no plans to trade AJ Brown.
• The Niners consider Trey Hendrickson an ideal fit for their defense.
  • Also…the Bengals don’t intend to trade him.
• Teams have pegged the Patriots among teams that could look to add a running back.
• The Eagles are lurking in the trade market for cornerback or edge rusher (or both).
• Running back is expected to be a focus for the Chargers.
• The Kansas City Chiefs are also among the teams asking about running backs.
• Expect the Jaguars to call around for more help on defense.
• The Giants have called teams for receiver help.

Again, that’s not to say that the Rams won’t make a trade. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it is expected to be an active trade deadline. However, they also aren’t involved in any of the early trade market buzz. The options at cornerback could also be limited now that the Jaguars and Browns swapped Tyson Campbell and Greg Newsome.

It seems unlikely that we would see a splash type move from the Rams. While they have multiple first-round picks, it would make sense to keep those for next year’s draft and continue adding premier, young talent to an already talented roster.

In the case that the Rams had some ‘temperature check’ calls heading into their mini-bye, they may check back in on those as they enter their full bye week in Week 7. However, as it stands, the Rams seem to be content with the options currently on the roster.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-news/128527/rams-nfl-trade-rumors-les-snead

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5Qs, 5As with Big Cat Country: Liam Coen giving off ‘McVay vibes’ in Jacksonville

Cheerio, old champs! The Los Angeles Rams are taking a trip to Wembley Stadium in London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7. Both teams sit at 4-2 and are making a playoff push in their respective conferences. Anything goes in this oddball of a season.

Before flying to England (in spirit) this weekend, I spoke with Gus Logue from Big Cat Country to get the inside scoop on the culture change Liam Coen has brought to Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ turnover-hungry defense and more.

Q – The Jaguars are coming off a tough loss to the Seahawks, a rough encore following the Monday night thriller over the Chiefs. Regardless, could you talk about the culture that first-year head coach Liam Coen has brought to Jacksonville?

A – Sunday’s game was certainly a deflating one, but 99% of Jaguars fans would’ve been thrilled about a 4-2 start no matter how it happened. Coen has implemented a culture of physicality and resiliency that has shown up on the field more often than not.

Multiple times during the offseason, he used the acronym F.A.S.T. (Fundamentally sound, Attacking, Situational masters, and Toughness) to describe what he looks for from his team. You can probably check the boxes for “Attacking” and “Toughness”—especially for the defensive side of the ball—but the Jaguars haven’t been “Fundamentally sound” or “Situational masters” on a consistent basis. The offense has had multiple red zone turnovers, the defense has allowed multiple game-winning/clenching drives, and pre-snap penalties have been a recurring issue.

There’s still plenty of work to be done, but with that said, the Liam Coen era has begun as well as we could’ve hoped.

Q – Trevor Lawrence has had some on-and-off performances in his first year with Coen calling the shots. What are some of the things that Lawrence has done well in Coen’s system and where does he need to improve most?

A – Lawrence has always been good at avoiding sacks and executing timing-based pass concepts. That’s carried over this season. In the past two games, his out-of-structure playmaking was very encouraging (and necessary, going against Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Macdonald). Lawrence is starting to use his legs more—he has 20 attempts over the past three weeks—which has helped the offense stay afloat amid a regressing offensive line and out-of-sync receiver room.

The first thing he needs to improve upon is consistency. For as many passes that remind us why he was drafted first overall, there are just as many decisions that make Jaguars fans want to rip their hair out. He also has a handful of blatant misfires each game, with balls usually being thrown too high. And Jacksonville’s downfield pass game has been a disappointment, partly because Coen wants to scheme up deep balls with play action from under center. Lawrence is still much more comfortable operating from shotgun than having to turn his back to the defense.

Q – The Jaguars went from having one of the NFL’s worst defenses to showing plenty of improvement under new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. How has Jacksonville turned into such a turnover magnet under Campanile, and what areas do the Rams need to attack most this week?

A – The largest tangible shift that I can point to is coverage types. According to Fantasy Points data, Jacksonville deploys zone coverage at the NFL’s fourth-highest rate this season (79.7%) after running the league’s second-highest rate of man coverage last year (41.3%). Defenders have made more plays on the ball as a result. The 2024 Jaguars ranked dead last with 9 takeaways; the 2025 Jaguars lead the league through six weeks with 14.

Obviously, the improvement isn’t as simple as coverage tendencies. Devin Lloyd is having a breakout contract season, while Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray are providing much-needed veteran stability to the secondary. And Campanile deserves more credit than anyone. His pressure packages have confused opponents and created easy pass rush lanes, which is the biggest reason for the defense’s numerous turnovers and overall turnaround.

Q – Who is one player on offense that L.A. fans should keep an eye on over the pond this week? What about on defense?

A – On offense, I’ll go with left tackle Walker Little. He (and the rest of the offensive line) is coming off a brutal performance against the Seahawks, in which the Jaguars allowed Trevor Lawrence to be pressured on 25 dropbacks. That’s the most in a game since 2022. Little specifically allowed a team-high 4 sacks and 6 pressures, per PFF. That is not good—especially with Jared Verse on deck!

On the other side of the ball, keep an eye out for cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown. He had two nice pass breakups last Sunday, plus another against Patrick Mahomes in Week 5. The Jaguars just swapped Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome—but the latter allowed a 61-yard TD on his first snap as a Jaguar. Brown is well-regarded by the organization and should continue to rotate in with Newsome and Travis Hunter. Jacksonville’s biggest defensive weakness this season has been its inability to contain opposing WR1s, so it’ll be all hands on deck against Davante Adams (and Puka Nacua, if he plays).

Q – What is a question that you have for Rams fans entering this matchup?

A – What questions/concerns do you have about Sean McVay, if any? Coen has given off some McVay vibes through his first few months on the job. Like his former boss, Coen appears to have the goods as a culture-builder in addition to being a whiz kid offensive playcaller. But there have also been some game-management issues, and I have the sense that Coen is a control freak to the max. (Which is at least better than being lazy—looking at you, Press Taylor.) Perhaps any qualms that Rams fans have with McVay could foreshadow how Jaguars fans feel about Coen.

Beyond that, are you ready to watch the stupidest game of your season? The Jaguars are experts at forcing turnovers, committing penalties and surviving on third-down production. They haven’t played anything close to a clean game since stomping Carolina to start the season. Add in the emotions of the game, with Coen and James Gladstone facing their former team, this game could be sloppy.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...128503/rams-jaguars-preview-liam-coen-culture

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Did Rams win over Ravens get your confidence back up?

The Los Angeles Rams got back in the win column by beating the Ravens 17-3 in Week 6, but was it the kind of victory to regain your confidence? Or the rare win that feels like it took more out of the team than it did help them?

The Rams are 4-2 and tied for the lead in the NFC West, but Puka Nacua is going to be sidelined for at least one game and it was a tight win over a Baltimore team that might be the worst in the league when they’re this injured.

Do you think that any win is a good win? Or could this be a win that lowers your confidence in the Rams moving forward?

Just last week, the confidence poll saw a dramatic dip to a season-low 54% after losing to the injury-depleted 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Now the Rams play another injury-depleted team, the Ravens without Lamar Jackson and a defense ranked 32nd in the league, and L.A. allowed a season-worst 179 rushing yards with a season-worst 15 first downs and 241 yards on offense.

The score was tied 3-3 at halftime and the Rams stalled out in the fourth quarter when they should have been blowing Baltimore further out of the water. Do you think this second half offense is indicative of how Matthew Stafford will play without Puka Nacua?

Every week we ask Rams fans to answer the SB Nation Reacts poll and this is no different: How confident are you in the direction of the Rams? Answer the quick survey and then explain your answer and give context in the comments below.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rams fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-roster/128520/rams-confidence-poll-week-7

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams-Jaguars: Edge rushers will be must-watch for Sunday matchup

The Los Angeles Rams (4-2) will travel across the pond to face off against the AFC South Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) in Week 7 at Wembley Stadium in England. This will be the Rams final game against the AFC South in 2025; having won all three games against the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts. The Rams were able to win those matchups but they haven’t been playing their best football through the first third of the season. Could the Jaguars exploit some of the weaker position units on the Rams? Here is my position by position breakdown of Week 7’s matchup…

QB Breakdown: Stafford had his worst game of the 2025 season against Baltimore. He missed a few throws especially in the red zone early in the game. His numbers could have been better had he executed those throws. He also could have been helped more if Davante Adams had hauled in at least passes that he was capable of catching. This week will be an interesting test for QB1 as he faces a defense with a large defensive front, strong edge rushers, quality linebackers, and a secondary that has picked off 10 passes (best in the league). Stafford will do so likely without his #1 wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Stafford just missed both throws to Tae in the endzone on the first drive. No pressure, nothing. pic.twitter.com/AMJVRbBZud

— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) October 13, 2025

Trevor Lawrence remains a mystery to me. The Jaguars QB has been up and down with his play through 6 games. He’s completing 61.1% of his passes and has an 8:5 TD/INT ratio. This is also Lawrence’s worst QBR since his rookie season. Lawrence is a sneaky threat when it comes to tucking the ball and running so LA will need to contain him in the pocket.

RB Breakdown: The production for Kyren Williams as a running back has definitely dipped. As expected. He is only averaging 69.7 rushing yards/game compared to 95.3 (2023) and 81.2 (2024). The area that Kyren has shown growth is as a pass catcher. He’s already nearing his season-best numbers and has found the endzone three times as Stafford’s checkdown.

HE CAUGHT THAT?

YEAH, KYREN CAUGHT THAT! #IrishInTheNFL | @Kyrenwilliams23

pic.twitter.com/o39HL94yaO

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 12, 2025

Travis Etienne, also a 2022 draft pick, has been on the other end of production. After a disappointing 2024 season, Etienne has roared back in 2025; averaging 78.3 rushing yards/game, a personal best thus far.

WR Breakdown: It’s expected that Puka Nacua will miss this game. Even if he does play, I expect him to be limited or a decoy in the offense. So I have to reduce their ranking from the previous weeks. Many will expect the offense to run through Davante Adams but I expect Whittington to slide into Nacua’s role; keeping Adams as the X-receiver on the perimeter. If Tutu Atwell returns, this should open up the middle of the field again to target Whittington and Adams.

Jacksonville has a lot of depth at the receiver position; featuring Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, and Parker Washington. The array of skill sets with this group could pose a threat to an inconsistent Rams secondary.

TE Breakdown: The Jaguars are without Brenton Strange which hurts their stock. The Jaguars will now insert Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt (former Rams!) into the starting lineup. Neither has produced significantly other than a pair of Hunter Long touchdowns.

LA also has not had a lot of success with their tight end room. The group has combined for three touchdowns but their four tight ends have a combined 189 yards (31.5 yards/game). Against a strong Jacksonville linebacking corps, I doubt LA will utilize this group much on Sunday.

OL Breakdown: The Rams offensive line has actually improved in the last two weeks. Alaric Jackson has been stout for the Rams as Stafford’s blindside. Steve Avila returned to the lineup as the left guard. His run blocking could use improvement but his pass protection has been up to par. Kevin Dotson has been a stud (shocker). The interesting factor here will be whether the Rams decide to use Warren McClendon or Rob Havenstein (ankle) at right tackle. McClendon has actually outplayed Havenstein in his two starts, albeit against weaker competition. Jackson and the starting RT for Week 7 will have a big assignment; trying to keep Stafford clean from Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.

Jacksonville does not have specific stud along their offensive line but they have been a good unit at generating running lanes for Travis Etienne. Walker Little and Anton Harrison could be in for a long day if Verse and Young are getting the chance to pin their ears back.

DL Breakdown: I’m giving Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske one more week to showcase themselves. Kobie Turner has been slow out of the gate this season because of a back injury. Compared to his 2023 and 2024 seasons, he is far off his pace for Sacks and Tackles for Loss. He’s also missed as many tackles this year as he did in 2024. Fiske has yet to get on the board with any sacks in 2025. Poona Ford and Tyler Davis are the two guys that continue to lead this group with stout run defense.

Poona Ford absolutely blows up the 4th down run at the goal line.

Ford gets immediate penetration which forces Henry to bounce it. Good luck blocking Jared Verse with a TE.

Huge stop for the Rams defense. Different game if Ravens convert here. pic.twitter.com/hLbMAShPds

— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) October 13, 2025

Jacksonville’s defensive front is likely to be a significant issue for the Los Angeles interior offensive line. LA has typically struggled against larger defensive fronts. Arik Armstead and Davon Hamilton are big bodies that Avila and Shelton must clear out of the way. If they collapse the pocket on Stafford; Hines-Allen and Walker will have easy clean up duty.

EDGE Breakdown: Byron Young leads the NFC in sacks with 7.5 and is second in the NFL. Jared Verse is PFF’s #4 edge rusher with a 91.0 overall grade.

Byron Young is a beast.

But just a few years ago, he was working the cash register.

Back in 2018, Young took shifts at Burger King and Dollar General to try to enter the working world.

He even got promoted to assistant manager at Dollar General, and his boss thought Byron had… pic.twitter.com/fwwbQQ4OC0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 16, 2025

Hines-Allen and Walker have only combined for 3 sacks but they have 42 pressures. Hines-Allen is 9th in the NFL in pressures.

The game could be influenced by whichever tandem produces the most impact plays.

ILB Breakdown: I actually increased the Rams grade here because of the emergence of Shaun Dolac. Originally fourth on the team’s depth, Dolac has now passed Speights (ankle) and Reeder. Dolac leapfrogs Reeder who is a liability in pass coverage. Dolac just provides more fast-twitch ability at the second level for a Rams defense needing a running mate next to Nate Landman.

The Jaguars are stockpiling linebackers with Foyesade Oluokun (75.2), Ventrell Miller (79.5), Dennis Gardeck (72.1), and Devin Lloyd (91.5). This might be the best linebacking corps in the NFL.

DB Breakdown: The Rams defensive backs actually grade relatively well: Darious Williams (73.2, 13th/108), Quentin Lake (75.5, 12th/108), Cobie Durant (66.3, 33rd/108), and Kam Curl (76.4, 9th/83). The problem is Emmanuel Forbes (52.0, 89th/108).

Quentin Lake steps in front of it for the pick!

LARvsBAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/LzUQ7kOfwZ

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025

Jacksonville’s ball hawking secondary has picked off 10 passes with Jourdan Lewis being the best player in that group. Wingard or the newly acquired Greg Newsome might be the areas that LA tries to exploit when throwing the ball downfield.

ST Breakdown: Until the Rams figure out their special teams, they will be held back week to week. The Rams experienced similar woes in 2020/2021 until Matt Gay came along and brought stability to the unit. Maybe the Rams need to make a change. Or maybe Chase Blackburn is relieved of his duties. Either way, a change somewhere could be on the horizon.

Jacksonville doesn’t have a strong special teams unit either with Little (place kicker) and Cooke (punter).

This game could be tight enough to the point that special teams decides the game.

COACHING Breakdown: This will be the first game of 2025 where we see Sean McVay face off against one of his former assistants. Coen has brought the Jaguars to a 4-2 record, their best start since 2007. That has to mean something.

Sean McVay has done a strong job with the Rams offense in 2025. The offense is one of the most explosive in the NFL. But they have been held back by subpar execution in the red zone. I think a fraction of this is on Sean McVay with the majority of the responsibility falling on the players to execute blocks, catch the ball, etc. Sometimes the best play can be the simple one.

Who do you have winning: Los Angeles or Jacksonville? What is your final score prediction? Add your comments about key positional matchups in the comments below

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...n/128574/rams-jaguars-position-matchup-week-7

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams out two offensive starters against Jaguars

The Los Angeles Rams will be without two of their key starters on offense in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is set to miss Sunday’s game with a sprained ankle while right tackle Rob Havenstein will miss his third consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Sean McVay said Puka Nacua (ankle) and Rob Havenstein (ankle) are out for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars in London

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 17, 2025

Nacua left in the second quarter in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens after coming down in pain in the back of the end zone. The Rams wide receiver went up for a contested ball and immediately left the game. While he returned in the second quarter, playing just six snaps, it was in a very limited capacity.

As for Havenstein, this is the third straight game that the starting right tackle has missed. Havenstein last played in the Week 4 win against the Indianapolis Colts, but has been out ever since.

It’s very possible that the Rams are playing it cautious with Nacua and Havenstein with the bye week coming up. The Rams will have two weeks off following their trip to London. After a game against the New Orleans Saints out of the bye, the Rams will have important games against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Rams will need both players healthy for that stretch of games.

In place of Nacua, the Rams will likely be relying on a committee of players. Wide receiver Tutu Atwell looks to be trending in the right direction as he was a full participant in practice on Thursday. The Rams will be relying on Jordan Whittington to fill that role as well, especially on early downs where he provides more value in the run game as a blocker. Additionally, the expectation will be for wide receiver Davante Adams to carry the load as the number one wide receiver in the offense.

At right tackle, it will be Warren McClendon making his third consecutive start. While the Rams would prefer Havenstein, this is valuable experience for McClendon. With Havenstein getting older, there are questions on who could replace him. If McClendon continues playing well, he will be the leader of that discussion.

The Jaguars are coming off of a loss in Week 6 to the Seattle Seahawks, but are 4-2 on the season. This won’t be an easy matchup for the Rams and without two starters on offense, it won’t get any easier.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-injuries/128610/rams-injury-report-week-7-puka-nacua