Raiders See Rams as a Get-Right Opportunity Amidst Losing Streak

Two months ago, the notion of the Los Angeles Rams being a 'get-right' game for the Las Vegas Raiders would have been met with skepticism. However, with the Raiders entering Week 7 at 3-3 and on a three-game losing streak, the narrative has shifted. The Rams, conversely, arrive at 2-4, burdened by preseason Super Bowl expectations and a season marked by unfolding problems.

This presents a pivotal opportunity for the Raiders, who, despite recent frustrations, have exceeded expectations as a rebuilding team under general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak. They have proven capable of challenging established contenders, a significant development for the franchise. However, this competitive ability has not consistently translated into victories.

The Raiders have lost close home games to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills by a combined six points. Sandwiched between these defeats was a humbling loss to the New England Patriots, underscoring the team's thin margin for error. Their subsequent performance against Buffalo, pushing the Bills to the wire, demonstrates their potential.

Head coach Klint Kubiak has identified the primary area for improvement: "Close games out." The team's challenge is to transition from being competitive to consistently securing wins by making crucial plays in decisive moments. Wide receiver Tre Tucker acknowledged this shift, stating, "We’re in all of them, but great teams close. So, that’s what we got to get figured out."

The upcoming game against the Rams offers a chance to establish this winning habit. While the Rams were favored to contend for a Super Bowl, the Raiders now hold a better record, rendering preseason predictions largely irrelevant. The Raiders must avoid playing based on reputation and recognize that a struggling contender can still exploit mistakes. The team's inconsistencies in the running game, offensive efficiency, and defensive lapses remain areas that require attention.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins emphasized the need for execution, stating, "It’s just about making plays. You got to make plays and be smart and manage the game well. And if you do that, you’d like to think that you give yourself a chance to close it out in the fourth quarter."

The focus for the Raiders is not on a complete overhaul but on refining specific areas. "The only part you change is when you go back and see where we got to be better, and you emphasize that during the week," Cousins added. "But we just got to go back to work and just put the work in and expect that if you do that, that the breaks will fly your way."

This game is crucial for the Raiders to get back above .500 and halt their losing streak. A victory would validate their competitive progress, while a loss would leave them facing another week of explaining their close-but-not-quite performances. Establishing winning habits in these critical games is essential for defining the team's rebuild.