Rams Week 7 Victory Represents More Than Just a Win

The adversity that the Los Angeles Rams have faced this season has been well-documented. After losing defensive end Myles Garrett in Week 1, the injuries for the team kept snowballing.

Garrett was joined by wide receiver Puka Nacua, fellow defensive end Aaron Donald, wide receiver Davante Adams, defensive tackle Poona Ford, defensive lineman Kobie Turner, kicker Blake Grupe, and so many more.

The injuries alone weren't the only questionable aspect of this time, as quarterback Matthew Stafford was not playing up to his MVP standard in the early portion of the season. That is what makes Week 7 seem far more important for this team.

Losing that many players was eerily similar to the 2024 season, when four out of the five starting offensive linemen were out due to suspensions or injury. That was a big factor in the Rams starting the season 1-4. 

Los Angeles would rally to finish with a 10-7 record, and nearly took down the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Now, the 2026 season seems similar.

The Rams started the season 2-4, and everything appeared to be going south. Stafford threw six interceptions in four games (he threw a total of eight in 2025), the injuries kept piling up, and the team could not close out games.

This is why the win on Sunday seems far more important. After head coach Sean McVay took the podium the Monday after the Week 6 loss and delivered the devastating news that two players were lost for the season, along with Adams and Turner being out for multiple weeks, everything seemed bleak.

Stafford also took the podium earlier ahead of Week 7 and stated that he needed to take it upon himself to play better to ensure the team does not lose sight of their goals of being in the playoffs and also getting back to the Super Bowl.

Stafford answered the call to the tune of 195 yards and three touchdowns. He did have an interception, which wasn't exactly his fault. 

The Rams also stepped up. The defense did not notch a sack until the fourth quarter, but they were completely in the face of Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins and company only scored six points in the first half. They also went scoreless in the third, but found some life with two touchdowns in the fourth.

It was not enough to get past the win-hungry Rams. Stafford was poised and accurate. Tight end Davis Allen caught two touchdowns to pad the score, and the team simply played a strong game.

It wasn't perfect, but it was strong. The win also felt like the kind of momentum-changing victory that the organization needed.

Falling to 2-5 would have been tough to climb out of, but a 3-4 record feels more manageable. That is not to say the Rams have it all figured out and will win out; it just means they banded together to prove they are the playoff contenders everyone still believes them to be.

The Raiders are no slouches either. They have a 3-4 record as well and have been highly competitive under new head coach Klint Kubiak. 

Simply put, the Rams pulled off a gutsy win that could act as the catalyst for them to continue their success. Their schedule gives them no breaks, but it was a win that feels like it is bigger considering the issues the roster was just hit with.