As we enter into Week 7, teams are beginning to separate themselves from their competition. Early season success has not resulted in the win total most fans would expect. For these three teams, a win this week will put them back on track for a playoff run.
Los Angeles Rams (3-3)
After a demoralizing 20-7 defeat to their division upstart in the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Rams, who were once sitting pretty at 3-0, are now 3-3. They are looking up at both the 49ers (5-0) and the Seattle Seahawks (5-1), who have defeated them as well.
Jared Goff threw for 78 yards on 24 attempts. Those numbers would suffice if it were Todd Gurley, but even he was absent from lineup on Sunday. Never to fear, the best way to get back into the winning column is to play a team with less wins than you.
The Rams will travel to Atlanta (1-5) who have lost a few games this season as well. At this moment, CB Marcus Peters has now been traded to the Baltimore Ravens, Jalen Ramsey was acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars via trade, and Todd Gurley is questionable. His running prowess will be need to finally take the pressure off Goff and the passing game.
The Rams offense will look to take advantage of a Falcons defense that ranks 31st in points allowed (31.0) and 27th in passing yards allowed per game. In the next two weeks, the Rams have opportunities against the Falcons (1-5) and Cincinnati Bengals (0-6), to go into their bye week at 5-3.
Tennessee Titans (2-4)
Coming off a game in which they did not score a point against the Denver Broncos, the Titans offense can only go up in their matchup this week against the also 2-4 Los Angeles Chargers. The offense has been hit or miss this season, ranking 28th in points scored (16.3) and 29th in passing yards (186) per game.
Though the Titans scoring prowess was seen in their Week 1 win against the Cleveland Browns (43-13), it has been their 5th-ranked scoring defense which has them closer to wins than one may think.
The Titans will face a Chargers defense that ranks 10th in scoring defense (19.7), but it is the rushing defense (22nd) that gives up 120 rushing yards per game. The Titans have been running the football since Eddie George dawned the cover of Madden EA Sports, so seeing them hand the ball off to Derrick Henry will be of no surprise.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
While some things in the NFL are always changing, Philip Rivers having to go the length of the field without any timeouts could be America’s past time. After a Week 1 30-24 overtime victory against the Indianapolis Colts, the Chargers have only been able to defeat the winless Miami Dolphins in Week 4. After their disappointing home loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday, the Chargers look to get back on track against the Tennessee Titans this week.
Though the Chargers rushing game (27th) has struggled since the return of Melvin Gordon, they will look to exploit the Titans rushing defense that ranks (15th) in yards allowed per game via the run.
The strength of Los Angeles lies with their passing game (288 yards per game), and will look to overcome a Titans defense that ranks 6th in passing yards allowed (217 yards per game allowed). The Chargers will not see a bye week until Week 12, and with their next two games on the road against the Titans (2-4) and the Bears (3-3), the Chargers need to get back on track before the season gets away from them.
Photo Credit: Jake Roth, USA TODAY Sports
