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The Los Angeles Rams (3-3) find themselves losers of three straight going into Week 7, where they’ll head east to take on the (1-5) Atlanta Falcons.
The Rams clearly need to win this one, or risk falling below .500 and potentially into last place in the NFC West at the season’s midpoint. They’ve lost quite a bit of starting talent this week, so they’ll need backup players to step up in a big way.
Can the Rams’ offense bounce back against a struggling Falcons’ defense? Can inexperienced depth players on LA’s defense step in and effectively thwart an Atlanta offense loaded with weapons?
The Turf Show Times staff make their predictions...
gorams (@AndrewKulick)
I had a prediction, two of them, first class picks (2020 and 2021). I had these picks which I thought were accurate; yet when it comes down to it they’re in reality, just speculation, leaving me to believe that I should go with a known commodity, rather than take a chance on the future. I decided to talk it over with Les Snead and he said I should trade my picks to 3k. So I did, now what ever he says is really my prediction.
Prediction: No idea.
Eddie Perez (@iAmEddieP_)
Tings are looking bleak for the Rams, innit? They sure done lost an insane amount of players to injury — something the team hasn’t had to face in recent years. I don’t expect things to get any better. The offensive line is sans Joe Noteboom (tore up his knee), and it will have a rookie David Edwards as a replacement. No bueno. On the other side of the ball, the Rams are without their starting CBs. This only spells doom for LA, and green lights for Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, & Calvin Ridley.
Prediction: Falcons win, 31-17
Skye Sverdlin (@skyeattolah)
I had this game as one of the Rams three projected losses prior to the season, back when I thought both teams would be playoff contenders. The Rams certainly need to win their next three games against very beatable teams, and might do it, yet it’s hard to expect them to win a road game until they figure out how to block again, plus the injuries are piling up. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing if rookie David Edwards can be of some use at left guard this week, since Noteboom was not. Hoping for a turnaround, but...
Prediction: Falcons win, 22-14
Kristian Ramirez (@KristianRamirez)
I mean look, the losing streak has to end sometime, right? Clay Matthews, Aqib Talib, John Johnson, Marcus Peters...the losing has to stop! Maybe this is the week, friends. Maybe this is the week.
Prediction: Rams win, 20-11
Elijah Kim (@Big_EZK)
The Rams travel to the heartbreaking place of their Super Bowl loss. With the team being significantly different due to trades and injury, the Rams defense will have their hands full against Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and company. However, the Rams should provide an equal challenge for the struggling defense of the Falcons. The Rams need a W and this is a good opportunity to get one. Rams win in a shootout.
Prediction: Rams win, 38-31
Joey Aucoin (@LARamsRamsRams)
Another must win game for the LA Rams because a loss won’t bring them closer to a better draft pick. This is a game that the offensive line will finally step up with because the front 7 for the Atlanta Falcons pales in comparison to the 49ers. That being said, the Rams will wake up from their 3 week-long losing haze and ignite their offense. Goff will pass for over 300 yards.
Prediction: Rams win, 35-17
Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP)
The Rams are coming into this contest on a three-game losing skid, and reek of absolute desperation. The Rams have a shot to get back on track as the Falcons have been arguably the most disappointing team in the league. Offensively, they’ll look to get back on track after putting together an absolute stinker against the San Francisco 49ers. Defensively, they should look to carry that momentum over, and all eyes will obviously be on newly acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey (if he’s a go).
Prediction: Rams win, 31-28
seattlerams (@seattlerams_nfl)
Atlanta’s TE, Austin Hooper, is 8th in the league in receiving yards, averaging 80/game. So yes, even with the trade for Jalen Ramsey, the Rams still have John Johnson and Aqib Talib on IR, meaning the number two passing offense in the NFL will have plenty of options to choose from this weekend.Unfortunately, until the Rams demonstrate that they can consistently keep Jared Goff on his feet, I’m going to side with the home team.
Prediction: Falcons win, 38-35
3k (@3k_)
Prediction: Rams win, 41-20
Brandon Bate (@NoPlanB_)
I suppose if there were an opponent to potentially help the Rams bounce back it would be the 1-5 Falcons, who are allowing opposing teams to score, on average, 31 points per game (31st) and put up 389 yards per contest (26th).
The Rams, however, are fielding several backup players in their secondary this week, and it’s going to be tough to slow down Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu. Austin Hooper, who’s tied for 4th in the NFL in receptions, currently leads all tight ends in receiving yardage and is hauling in 80 yards per game through six weeks of play.
I do expect the Rams’ offense to take advantage of an underperforming Falcons’ defense, but it’ll most likely be a shootout. I mean, the Cardinals beat this team last week so if the Rams can’t do it, well, I presume they’ve earned the right to be in last place in the division.
Prediction: Rams win, 31-27
Staff pick summary: 6 picks for the Rams, and 3 picks for the Falcons. Also, one prediction I have no clue what to do with.