Rams Must Stop Playing Down to their Competition

The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a tough loss. They had a chance to take advantage of a reeling San Francisco 49ers team and put a divisional rival on the ropes with a second-straight defeat. Instead, they allowed the Niners to upset them at home and retake the momentum and goodwill in the NFC West.

They didn't just lose to San Francisco either. They fell to backup quarterback Mac Jones in the process. The Niners were also without Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall.

The Rams mostly shot themselves in the foot in Week 5, at least on offense. On defense, they failed to capitalize on all of San Francisco's injuries and allowed Mac Jones to repeatedly march on them. LA should have easily handled the Niners, but they didn't play up to their potential — a recurring problem for the Rams so far this season.

Los Angeles Rams, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Kyren Williams — Oct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams have to show out in Week 6

The Los Angeles Rams have another opportunity against an inferior, injury-riddled opponent in Week 6. They go on the road in their next game to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Typically, this would be a daunting affair against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the rest of a perennial Super Bowl-contending roster.

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

That won't be the case in this next bout. The Ravens are coming into this game at 1-4, with multiple key players on the injury report. Lamar Jackson, Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Chidobe Awuzie, Roquan Smith, and Ronnie Stanley are all listed as questionable for Week 6, among others.

Amid its poor health, Baltimore was blown out in its last game against the Houston Texans, 44-10. With their season on the line, the Ravens could be more desperate to get Jackson and the rest of the crew back as soon as possible, potentially against the Rams. If he's not able to go, along with some of Baltimore's other stars, LA absolutely needs to keep its foot on the gas and get a dominant win to reassert itself as an upper-echelon team this season.

Things I hope to see offensively vs the Ravens for the #Rams

1. Terrance Ferguson A LOT more involved for the TEs. He has an element that it's very clear the others don't.. stretching the field and jump ball abilities (as shown last week) and I 100% think he could be a RZ… pic.twitter.com/0ZccFlDsB2
— Otto (@hawkeyeram4life) October 7, 2025

FanDuel expects the Rams to, listing them at -370 on the moneyline as 7.5-point favorites with the spread. This could certainly swing significantly if the Ravens get some favorable updates in regards to the health of Lamar Jackson and their other key players.

Even at full strength, Baltimore's defense looked extremely shaky this year. If Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Roquan Smith can't go, the Rams have to take advantage and dominate. The over/under is currently tabbed at 44.5 points.

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