Sports

Rams vs. Titans: How to watch, prediction and betting odds

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward.
Rams versus Titans on Sunday will feature a pair of No. 1 overall draft picks squaring off in quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, left, and Cam Ward. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times; Tyler Schank / Getty Images)

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the linchpin to the Rams’ aspirations for another Super Bowl appearance, emerged largely unscathed from a season-opening victory over the Houston Texans, but another great challenge awaits the offensive line Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Left guard Steve Avila is doubtful because of an ankle injury and right guard Kevin Dotson will be playing through an ankle issue.

Not great news for a group that must contain Titans defensive end Jeffery Simmons.

Read more:Sean McVay aims to roll out a more blended Davante Adams-Puka Nacua attack

“He is really disruptive,” Stafford said of Simmons, who sacked Stafford three times in a Rams defeat in 2021, “gets off on the count, physical, fast and plays with a nasty streak.”

To reinforce the line and help establish the rushing attack, coach Sean McVay could deploy multiple tight ends.

The Rams’ defense faces quarterback Cam Ward, the top pick in the NFL draft.

Ward completed 12 of 28 passes for 112 yards in a 20-12 defeat by the Denver Broncos. He was sacked six times.

“He didn’t play bad last week,” Rams edge rusher Byron Young said. “He looked pretty comfortable back there even though he got sacked a few times. He was handling himself pretty well. ... He knows what he’s doing. Even though he’s a rookie, he’s definitely somebody you can’t sleep on.”

Key injuries

Rams: OL Kevin Dotson (ankle, will play), OL Steve Avila (ankle, doubtful); TE Colby Parkinson (shoulder, doubtful).

Titans: S Quandre Diggs (hand, will play); OL JC Latham (hip, out); RB Kalel Mullings (ankle, doubtful); NT T'Vondre Sweat (ankle, out); S Kevin Winston Jr. (hamstring, doubtful).

How to watch and listen to Rams vs. Titans

The Rams and Titans will play at 10 a.m. PDT Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The game will be televised by CBS and Paramount+ in the Los Angeles area and will be available nationally via a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. In Southern California, fans can listen to the game on 710 AM and 1330 AM (Español).

Betting lines for Rams vs. Titans

Who will win Rams vs. Titans?

Gary Klein’s pick: The Rams did not give up a touchdown against the Texans, and Jared Verse and Co. in the defensive front can now go after a rookie quarterback. The Titans have an aggressive pass rush, but McVay and Stafford have too many weapons on offense. Rams 27, Titans 13

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Ben Johnson: Bears are facing elite players in a hostile environment in Detroit

Before he became the Bears' head coach this year, Ben Johnson spent the last six seasons as a Lions assistant. And he's been telling his players what to expect when they play in Detroit on Sunday.

"They know what kind of hostile environment this is going to be," Johnson said.

Johnson, who was the Lions' offensive coordinator, said the Lions' playmakers are going to be tough to deal with and will look faster on the field than they looked on tape.

"I think they have a couple players on that offense who are elite in this league," Johnson said. "Until you're out there — you see it on tape, but we've been talking about it all week."

Johnson spoke specifically about the Lions' running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

"Speed. Elite speed. Probably the fastest in the NFL at his position," Johnson said of Gibbs.

But Gibbs might not even be the Lions' No. 1 running back.

"Montgomery is one of those guys who likes to set the tone, lower his shoulder, wants to be a spark, very dependable player, really can't say enough good things," Johnson said. "When you've got two backs like that who are complementary of each other, want each other to do well, it makes it really hard because there's always a threat on the field, and they're dabbling with having them both on the field at the same time, which makes it very challenging."

It's going to be a challenge for both the Lions and the Bears, as the loser is 0-2 and all alone in last place in the NFC North.

Raiders OG Jackson Powers-Johnson misses practice with a concussion

The Raiders added starting right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson to their injury report Friday.

He did not practice Friday with a concussion.

Powers-Johnson was not on the injury report Thursday, so it is unknown when he was injured.

It seems unlikely that Power-Johnson would pass concussion protocol before Monday night's game against the Chargers.

Veteran Alex Cappa would start for Powers-Johnson.

Tight end Brock Bowers (knee) did not practice for a second consecutive day.

Michael Mayer and Ian Thomas are behind Bowers on the depth chart.

Linebacker Elandon Roberts (elbow) returned to limited work Friday after missing Thursday's session.

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