3 stars the Rams must lean on in Week 7 against the Raiders

For the 2-4 Los Angeles Rams, Week 7 in Las Vegas feels like a must-win scenario. 

Of course, last week against the Cardinals also felt that way. The Rams left that game a lot less whole than the way they came in. 

Missing multiple stars on both sides of the ball, they will need unsung heroes to emerge, certainly, but the team will also have to lean even more heavily on its remaining leaders. Let's hope these three answer the call on Sunday.

Rams need their stars to come out firing in Las Vegas

Quarterback Matthew Stafford 

Addressing the loss of receiver Davante Adams, who is expected to miss six to 10 weeks, Stafford acknowledged the extra responsibility on his shoulders.

"I've been a part of these things before, and that's when I think my role becomes even more important, as a leader, as somebody that can try and help steady the ship for us," Stafford said Wednesday. 

Stafford has struggled to find his groove early in each of the last three games. He caught fire late against the Eagles in Week 4 and came alive in the second half against the Bills. Last week against Arizona, he led the Rams on a go-ahead touchdown drive with under three minutes to go. 

Although Stafford has reined in the interceptions, consistency remains elusive. He can't afford to come out flat again opposite a Raiders offense that can pile up points in a hurry. 

Running back Kyren Williams

The other part to the equation is, of course, the running game. While it will be on Stafford to engineer the offense, the Rams could do to lean a bit more on the rushing attack with the receiver room down both Adams and tight end Terrance Ferguson. 

That starts with Williams, who seemingly made his frustrations known over being kept off the field in crunch time. McVay said that Williams approached him later to clarify his comments, which the head coach said weren't meant the way many interpreted them. 

Still, both on the ground and as a receiver, the Rams will need Williams to have a big game with other stars sidelined. His 10 carries against the Cardinals (for 50 yards) were a season low. Week 1 was the only other time he's had fewer than 15 in a game.  

Limiting his touches is not a reliable recipe for success. Through six games, Williams has put up 610 scrimmage yards thanks to being involved more than ever as a pass-catcher.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald

With Kobie Turner and Poona Ford both gone, the defensive front will need a serious boost from somewhere. Donald is an obvious candidate to supply it.

Of course, his job will be a lot harder now without those two diverting attention and bodies on opposing offensive lines. How he handles that change will be something to watch throughout the game. 

Donald will not necessarily see an increase in snaps, said defensive coordinator Chris Shula, and won't exceed the general threshold the team has set. Using the analogy of a pitcher in baseball, however, Shula suggested that Donald could stay on the field a bit longer in big moments late. 

When it comes to it, the best way No. 99 can help the Rams mitigate their losses up front is to simply do more with the same allotment of reps. It's a tall task, but if anyone can do it, Aaron Donald is the man. 

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