Rams-Titans: Who has the edge position by position?

The 1-0 Los Angeles Rams will try to earn their first road win of the 2025 season when they face off against the 0-1 Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Over the course of Sean McVay’s nine seasons his teams have earned a reputation for being “Road Warriors”. They’ll gear up for another clash against a Titans team trying to find their way with first year quarterback Cam Ward. Meanwhile, the Rams will continue to rely on the arm (and back) of Matthew Stafford. Who has the edge in this one and where? Here is a head-to-head breakdown of each team’s position group entering Sunday.

QB Breakdown: Matthew Stafford will be playing his 224th game on Sunday. Last week, he looked like he was in midseason form despite missing all of training camp. After Week 1, he was the rated the No. 1 overall quarterback by PFF having made five big time throws against the Texans defense. The only reason, I don’t have him higher on the meter is the career body of work, where Stafford has been known to sputter. But his clutch factor is one of the league’s best too. Meanwhile, Cam Ward will be playing his 2nd game. There’s just not enough of an NFL resume to make an informed assessment. Ward’s dual threat ability gives him some threat level.

RB Breakdown: Kyren Williams had a very mediocre game last week against the Texans. Over the last two seasons, he has filled up the box score despite his questionable efficiency. His lack of explosiveness is still apparent but his nose for the endzone can’t be undervalued. One area that doesn’t get talked about enough is Kyren’s pass protection. He had a number of key blitz pick ups against a strong HOU pass rush. Tony Pollard is the Titans running back and has been a steady hand the last few years. He doesn’t carry the merit of the league’s best backs but he is an efficient runner averaging a career 4.6 yards/carry.

WRs Breakdown: The Rams wide receivers may be the best in the league. Puka Nacua has been unstoppable in his first 29 games of his career. His physicality has yet to be matched by opposing defenses. Even when he is banged up, he still produces eye-popping numbers. Then as a running mate, Nacua has Davante Adams working in the “X” role. The Rams playmakers can attack across the middle, outside the numbers, and downfield (Tutu Atwell and Xavier Smith). They are a handful. The Titans WR group is composed of Calvin Ridley, Eric Ayomanor, and Van Jefferson. All you need to know here is that Ridley is 30 years old, Ayomanor is a rookie, and Jefferson is on his fourth team in three years.

TEs Breakdown: There isn’t a real difference maker in the Rams tight end room. They just have a lot of depth; rotating them in to keep fresh legs and bodies. Colby Parkinson will be out for this game because of a shoulder injury. However, the Rams have Davis Allen and rookie Terrance Ferguson waiting in the wings. The Titans will primarily use Okonkwo (limited career production) and Helm (rookie).

OL Breakdown: The biggest storyline after Week 1 for LA was the health of their offensive line. Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein all appeared on the injury report this week; causing fans to reminisce on the last two years and the derailed starts to those seasons. It appears though that Steve Avila will be the only OL to miss the game. However, Beaux Limmer will fill in his place; having performed exceptionally in the run-blocking department. The Titans will be without right tackle JC Latham. It could be a very long day for their tackles, Dan Moore Jr & John Ojukwu. The interior line is respectable with first rounder Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry III, and Kevin Zeitler.

DL/EDGE Breakdown: The Rams defensive front is one of the best in football. Jared Verse didn’t stuff the stat sheet against the Texans but he forced plenty of pressure on CJ Stroud. Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske held the HOU run game in check. This week may be more of a test with the Titans strong interior. Either way, this group is a top 5 unit. The Titans have Jeffrey Simmons, former Ram Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Dre’Mont Jones. T’Vondre Sweat will be out. It’s an okay unit headlined by Simmons.

LB Breakdown: For a long time Los Angeles had to piece together the linebacking corps. But now, the undrafted free agents in that room have turned in something special. Nate Landman and Omar Speights have formed a strong duo in the middle of the defense. Landman’s energy has created a strong buzz for the defense and should continue to be contagious. Tennessee will start Cedric Gray and Cody Barton. So far Gray has played well but he is still only 10 games into his career.

DB Breakdown: LA has chosen to use a committee approach for their weekly matchups. Emmanuel Forbes, Cobie Durant, Akhello Witherspoon, and Darious Williams will continue to rotate as Aubrey Pleasant sees fit. While the room isn’t budding with a superstar, it does carry reliable play considering Darious Williams didn’t play a single snap last Sunday. Last year, TEN traded for L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs. He is still a top tier corner in the NFL. Rounding out the secondary is Amani Hooker, Xavier Woods, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. For what it is worth, Tennessee did intercept Bo Nix twice last weekend.

ST Breakdown: Josh Karty and Ethan Evans are the young kicking/punting duo for L.A. While TEN will be using veterans Joey Slye and the beloved Johnny Hekker. Karty (85.3%) holds a moderate edge over Slye (82.1%). Jordan Whittington, the Rams kick returner has also been one of the best with his kick return average.

What do you think? Do the Rams have a clear edge or is it closer than Rams fans think? Give your position by position breakdown in the comments below.

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