Seven weeks into the 2026 NFL season the Los Angeles Rams’ offense has stalled. Aging stars Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford are hampered by injuries and declining performance, while the receiving corps lacks a reliable third option. Puka Nacua’s deep‑ball threat has vanished after battling a sports‑hernia and calf issue, leaving the Rams with only short‑range passes—Stafford now completes just 28% of throws over 20 yards, a steep drop from his MVP‑year numbers. Combined with a slower, run‑heavy scheme tailored to Blake Corum and Kyren Williams, the Rams rank 18th on PFF after topping the chart last season, signaling a clear offensive regression.
After Trey Smack missed his first extra point and two chip shots, the Packers face an imminent kicker change. The article lists free‑agent kickers with 2024‑26 stats, highlighting Riley Patterson (84% FG, cut by Dolphins 10/20), Younghoe Koo (72% FG, 49ers workout 9/19), Matt Prater (92% FG, Rams workout 10/20), John Parker Romo (85% FG, Titans workout 8/8), Harrison Mevis (77% FG, Rams release 10/14), Greg Joseph (80% FG, former Packer, 49ers workout 9/19), Cade York (69% FG, Jets waive 8/25), Michael Badgley (92% FG, Dolphins workout 10/20), and Lucas Havrisik (100% FG, former Packer, Dolphins workout 9/22). The Packers are likely to consider these free agents during Smack’s “mini‑bye.”
49ers 49ers LT Trent Williams said he wouldn’t mind the team trading premium picks away for proven talent. He acknowledged the locker room and front office think differently, but he wants to go all in at age 38. “As a player, you don’t know how they value draft picks, but nobody in here ever values […]
The post NFC Notes: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 49ers Trade Deadline Plans, Rams, Seahawks appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co .
In a Week 8 episode of “The Edge,” linebacker Micah Parsons downplays the Kansas City Chiefs’ hype, saying only one roster flaw keeps them from true intimidation. He draws a distinction between rookie receiver Xavier Worthy and former Chief Tyreek Hill, emphasizing route‑changing ability over pure speed. Parsons also picks the Cincinnati Bengals as a sleeper AFC contender and notes his ongoing rehab after missing several games. The piece rounds out mid‑season NFL updates, highlighting the Vikings’ 6‑0 run, the Rams’ injury woes, and the Raiders’ poor defense despite Kirk Cousins’ 16 TD passes.
Amid a 0‑6 start, Chargers QB Justin Herbert defends offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel while shouldering blame for the unit’s woes. Herbert, who has 5 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, faced sharp criticism from Super Bowl champion James Jones, who accuses him of making every losing play in clutch moments. The article highlights the team’s coaching stability, upcoming matchups against the Rams, Texans, Ravens and Jets, and the front office’s decision not to trade Herbert despite calls for a rebuild. It also notes the broader fan reaction and media buzz surrounding the quarterback’s performance.
Analyst Adam Schein lambasts the Las Vegas Raiders for keeping veteran Kirk Cousins as starter despite four straight losses, including a Week 7 defeat to the Rams. Schein argues that Heisman‑winning rookie Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national title, deserved the opening job and should see action after the bye against the Chargers. Coach Klint Kubiak remains loyal to Cousins, but the Raiders’ offense continues to sputter as they prepare to face the New York Jets. The quarterback debate could shape the franchise’s direction heading into the season’s second half.
Patriots return to Sunday action on Nov. 1 in Miami against the Dolphins after a Thursday night debut and a mini‑bye. Pats Pulpit’s Week 8 rooting guide lists who New England fans should cheer in the other 13 games, favoring teams that improve the Patriots’ schedule strength, draft position, or playoff tiebreakers. Picks include Packers, Ravens, Titans, Lions, Colts, Jets, Steelers, Rams, Broncos and several “good game” matchups. The guide also notes the Thursday Panthers‑Packers game and a Monday Bears‑Seahawks showdown. It helps fans track which outcomes could benefit New England’s playoff and draft outlook.
The Chargers report no progress on injuries ahead of Week 8. Guard Kayode Awosika (fibula) and WR Brenen Thompson (quad/hamstring) remain out, likely missing another game. Receivers Ladd McConkey is listed as full despite a concussion, while Tre’ Harris returns limited after a hamstring strain, a boost for the offense but with uncertainty around McConkey’s durability. Cornerback Rodney Shelley is on track to return, filling a hole left by Deane Leonard’s concussion, and veteran Donte Jackson’s comeback could further shore up a depleted secondary.
After a pivotal 27-20 win over Philadelphia, the Dallas Cowboys sit 3-4 (2-3 NFC) and remain within striking distance of the NFC East title and a wild‑card berth. Week 8 pits them against a 2‑5 Arizona Cardinals team that historically boasts an 8‑2 record against Dallas, while rivals like the Giants (bye) and Falcons sit on similar records. The guide highlights key matchups across the conference, noting the Vikings’ unbeaten run, the Panthers‑Packers showdown, and the Chargers’ 0‑6 slump against the Rams. It also flags the upcoming Indianapolis visit, where a Jaguars loss could boost Dallas’ playoff hopes, and points to future draft pick implications.
Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske is thriving despite Aaron Donald’s return, posting a 14.9% pressure rate over his last four games—ranking sixth among interior linemen and 16th overall at 11.9% for the season. He logged three pressures against the Raiders (9.4% rate), three against the Cardinals (17.6%), and six versus the Eagles (23.1%). Though he’s yet to convert pressures into sacks, his versatility on both DT and DE spots and a 14.8% blitz pressure rate suggest he could become a long‑term cornerstone alongside Donald, filling the void left by John Franklin‑Myers.
The Las Vegas Raiders have slid to 3-4 after a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, exposing a severe trench battle failure. Over four straight defeats the Raiders have allowed 656 rushing yards while gaining just 223 on the ground, ranking third‑worst in the league with only 523 total rushing yards and a 3.0‑yard per carry average. Conversely, Kirk Cousins’ aerial attack ranks second in yardage (1,883) and leads the NFL with 16 passing TDs, highlighting a stark offensive imbalance. Head coach Klint Kubuak cites poor run defense and a stagnant rush as core issues, while the defense now sits second‑worst, yielding 197 points. The article argues that coaching adjustments, roster upgrades, and a revived ground game are essential before the November 10 trade deadline.
Quarterback Justin Herbert publicly backs offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel amid a bruising 0‑6 start for the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the unit’s league‑low 15 points per game and a 22‑6 loss to Kansas City, Herbert says the blame lies with the players’ execution, not the play‑calling, urging the offense to finish drives. Coach Jim Harbaugh retains McDaniel after a bye‑week review, despite criticism. Herbert’s stats reflect the slump: 107‑of‑180 passes for 1,141 yards, 5 TDs, 8 INTs, and 21 sacks. With injuries on the line and missed scoring chances, the Chargers aim to rebound against the Rams next week.
The New Orleans Saints have released DB David Long from injured reserve, per the NFL’s Official Transaction Wire. Long, 28, was a third-round pick by the Rams out of Michigan back in 2019. He finished his four-year, rookie contract worth $3,801,391, including a $973,060 signing bonus and $973,060 guaranteed, and signed a one-year deal with […]
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The Arizona Cardinals sit at 2‑5 after seven games and face a hostile stretch against the Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks, Rams and 49ers. With the franchise record 14 losses last season, head coach Mike LaFleur may start a rebuild, and high‑priced veterans DE Josh Sweat and S Budda Baker could be on the chopping block. Sweat, who posted 12 sacks last year, now has just 16 tackles and 8 pressures without DT Calais Campbell’s help, while a drafted replacement, DT Kaleb Proctor, is out for the season. Meanwhile, rumors of a trade for Sweat have been denied. The article weighs whether the upcoming games could be the last for these players.
Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders initially had a great start to the season, but are now struggling. After winning the first three games of the season, they have lost the last four games. The last loss came against the Los Angeles Rams with a score of 21-35. The franchise now has a record […]
The post NFL GM Exposes Massive Price Tag Attached to a Maxx Crosby Trade as Deadline Looms appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
ESPN analysts assign a 50% probability that the Vikings will trade wide receiver Jauan Jennings before the Nov. 10 deadline. GM Nolan Teasley has reportedly been negotiating, though no deal has materialized yet. Jennings, a 29‑year‑old on a one‑year contract who logged two catches for 34 yards against the Colts, is seen as a low‑cost, run‑blocking option that could appeal to the 49ers, Rams or Falcons. While fans eye a star running back or defensive help, the most likely roster move, according to ESPN, is Jennings heading to San Francisco or another WR‑needy team.
The article pits the Rams' off‑season swap for Myles Garrett against the Bears' recent trade for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Los Angeles gave up a 2027 first‑rounder, pass‑rusher Jared Verse and additional picks for Garrett, the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, but he has missed the first six games with a knee injury. Chicago paid two first‑round picks for Simmons, who posted 7.5 sacks this season and leads several advanced metrics. The piece examines whether the Rams overpaid, if Simmons would have filled a bigger need, and how both clubs might fare moving forward.
In a 35-21 home loss to the Rams, the Raiders’ 2025 draft class showed mixed results. First‑round tight end Brock Bowers logged 65 of 66 offensive snaps, catching six passes for 73 yards on eight targets, while second‑rounder Jackson Powers‑Johnson was benched in favor of third‑round pick Caleb Rogers and saw only four special‑team plays. Third‑round tackle D.J. Glaze started at right tackle, and fifth‑round defensive lineman Tommy Eichenberg posted a career‑high 43 defensive snaps but struggled against the run. Sixth‑round rookie Dylan Laube didn’t see offensive action but continued his kick‑return surge, leading the league with a 31.1‑yard average on 38‑ and 42‑yard returns.
Second‑year Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway returned from a concussion in Week 7 and recorded his first sack of the season against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, marking his fifth career sack. The South Carolina‑produced fourth‑round pick now has five sacks in his first 15 games, tying Chester McGlockton for the second‑most by a Raider defensive tackle in that span, trailing only Roderick Coleman (six). The piece also notes the Raiders’ No. 13 slot in the 2027 draft and links to fan community features.
Despite a shaky start to the season, Los Angeles Chargers left tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt remain among the NFL's elite when healthy. Pro Football Focus grades place both in the top tier of qualifying tackles (50+ snaps), with Alt edging close to the league’s best, rivaled only by Penei Sewell. The piece highlights the Chargers' injury report, a preview of the upcoming Rams matchup, and recent roster moves, while questioning whether the duo can stay on the field.
Sean McVay says star receiver Davante Adams, who ruptured his hamstring in Week 6, could return in six weeks—much sooner than the original 10‑week outlook—potentially after the Rams’ Week 11 bye. The timing would boost L.A.’s playoff push, but the team still battles other injuries, including Myles Garrett’s delayed knee recovery, TE Terrance Ferguson, and several position players on IR. With a crucial Sunday game looming, the Rams hope Adams and other sidelined players continue their positive rehab progress.
The Big Lead’s Week 8 running back power rankings list the NFL’s top 15 backs, highlighting injuries, recent performances and matchups. Notable entries include Arizona’s Jeremiyah Love, who missed two games with an ankle injury but may return against Dallas; Chicago’s D’Andre Swift, fresh off his seventh touchdown; Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, who rushed for 106 yards and two scores; and Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren, who posted his third 100‑yard game. The top five feature Jonathan Taylor (Colts), Derrick Henry (Ravens), Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Kyren Williams (Rams) and Javonte Williams (Cowboys), each with multiple touchdowns and strong week‑7 showings.
Going into Week 7 the San Francisco 49ers appeared the NFC's top team, boasting a perfect 6-0 record and MVP‑level play from Brock Purdy. After a surprising loss to the Atlanta Falcons—four turnovers and a blown 14‑3 lead—the blog asks who now leads the NFC. It breaks down candidates: 49ers (still #1 by DVOA, strong offense, solid defense), Vikings (only unbeaten team, elite defense), Seahawks (defending champs, defensive strength despite offensive woes), Bears (Caleb Williams return, solid defense), Lions (high‑scoring offense, improving defense), and Rams (efficient but 3‑4 record). The author still favors the 49ers as a fluke loss, ranking Bears, Seahawks, Vikings, Lions, and Rams next, and invites readers to vote.
Rams running back Blake Corum is a player to elevate in Week 8, while Colts receiver Keenan Allen could see an elevated role given injuries and game script.
The Los Angeles Rams swung a huge trade in the offseason after acquiring Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Jared Verse and draft assets. It was viewed as a big win for the Rams. Unfortunately, Garrett suffered a knee injury in Week 1, instantly derailing Los Angeles’ campaign. Amid his continued absence […]
The post Will Rams hunt blockbuster trade after 49ers, Seahawks deals? Sean McVay weighs in appeared first on ClutchPoints .