The Los Angeles Rams will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6 after an early bye. The break appears to have come at the most opportune time as LA may be getting some of its weapons back from injury, which could include Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. Here are my three bold predictions for Sunday’s match.

The Rams hold the Raiders to under 100 yards rushing

This wouldn’t be such a bold prediction if LA didn’t have one of the worst rush defenses in the league. They are currently allowing 4.8 yards per rush, which currently ranks 26th, and have yet to hold any of their opponents under 126 yards in five games. Many will be quick to blame a lackluster linebacker group with Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reader, who have room for improvement to say the least, but everyone on the defensive line has a share in their mistakes against the run.

Luckily for LA, after the bye they will face one of the worst running teams in all of football. The Raiders are averaging 3.7 yards per carry and have fumbled the ball four times this season. If the defensive line and linebacker units can hold their own against the running rookies, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse will have the opportunity to finally put their ears back and attack at will.

It also helps that Chris Shula and his unit are coming back from a much-needed early goodbye. Could we see a change at linebackers on Sunday? If you ask me, it doesn’t matter who’s out on the field – even though LA’s defense is one of the worst at stopping the run, it’s going to have its best performance of the year and the Raiders will have it this one Keep under 100 yards rushing on the day.

Tutu Atwell scores a rushing and a receiving touchdown

Cooper Kupp could well make it onto the field on Sunday after recovering from a severe ankle sprain he suffered earlier in the season. Even if he makes it, you can expect Tutu Atwell to deliver one of his best performances of the season. The undersized and underused receiver has become one of the most efficient receivers in LA as the relationship between him and Matthew Stafford has grown following the injuries to Kupp and Puka Nacua.

If Kupp does make it onto the field, the Raiders will need to give him proper attention to ensure he doesn’t ruin the game. That should give Atwell his best chance of the season against softer coverage, and Kupp’s elite blocking skills could come in handy in a sneaky end-around against the former second-round draft pick.

If Kupp doesn’t see the field, Atwell will once again be the number one wide receiver and will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills. If Sean McVay continues to find ways to expose the speedy pass catcher, it will be difficult for the Raiders defense to stop LA’s secret weapon.

Atwell has started to come into his own lately and that should pay off regardless of who is on the field with two touchdowns on Sunday.

Stafford and the offense score more than 30 points

Could a short break and a TV spot be just what Stafford needed to finally ignite perhaps the league’s deadliest offense? It might be enough to get Kupp back. Their opponents are currently in the early stages of a rebuild after losing their best weapon in Davante Adams and have many question marks at the league’s most important position with Aidan O’Connell behind center. If all goes according to plan, LA’s defense should have one of its best performances of the season and give Stafford plenty of chances to lead the team down the field.

It might help that the Raiders’ defense has allowed more than 30 points in three of their six games this season – 36 points to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, 34 points to the Denver Broncos in Week 5 and most recently 32 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. None of these offenses stand out as elite in the league.

A decisive win against a weaker opponent could be the answer to an early turnaround in the season. Expect Stafford and McVay to give it their all to get their second W of the year – which is why LA will score over 30 points on Sunday.