The Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars traveled across the pond for a Sunday morning showdown in London. Both of these teams are off to a hot start and have playoff aspirations. The winner of this game will be 5-2 and feeling really good about themselves, and the loser will be 4-3, wondering what just happened.

This should be a great way to kick off an exciting Sunday of football, so let’s hop into some storylines, players to watch, and bold predictions for this week’s London game.

Key Storylines

How will the Rams’ Offense perform without Puka?

Puka Nacua has been instrumental to the Rams’ offensive success since stepping in as a rookie. Last year, the Rams averaged 23.3 points per game when Nacua was in the lineup, but in the five games he missed, they averaged just 18.8. This year, the Rams offense averaged 24.6 points with him in the lineup, but after he went out early last week, they scored just 17 points.

Needless to say, Nacua is vital to the Rams’ offense, and they will be without him this weekend. Will they be able to score enough points to take down the Jaguars? Or will Trevor Lawrence and Co. be able to out-duel them in London? We’ll find out on Sunday, but I’m a tiny bit worried about the Rams’ offense without Nacua.

Can Jacksonville get back to running the football effectively?

A large part of the reason the Jags started the season 3-1 was because of their run game. Travis Etienne has been one of the most efficient running backs in the league, especially in the first four weeks, but has cooled off quite a bit in his last two games.

In Weeks 5 and 6, Etienne has combined to rush for 75 yards on 24 yards (3.1 average). It didn’t matter against the Kansas City Chiefs because Trevor Lawrence was able to put the team on his back late, but last time out, Lawrence struggled, and their offense scored just 12 points.

The Rams have a pretty good run defense, but Etienne will need to find a way to have success. If not, Lawrence will have to put this team on his back again, and I’m not quite sure if he’s capable of doing that consistently.

Will Jacksonville be able to slow down Jared Verse?

Jared Verse has been a one-man wrecking crew this season. He may not have the 7.5 sacks Byron Young has, but he’s arguably been more efficient. Verse has just three sacks to his name this year, but he leads the team in pressures (31), hurries (15), QB hits (11), pass rush win rate (22.8 percent), and pass rush grade (90.1). Young has been able to finish the job more often, and I’m not trying to discredit that at all, but sacks don’t tell the full story.

My big question is, can the Jags slow Verse down? He’s averaging over five pressures per game, but the Jags’ offensive line has done a good job keeping Trevor Lawrence’s jersey clean. The battle in the trenches will decide this game, and if Verse consistently wins, it should be the Rams walking out with a victory.

Players to Watch

Davante Adams (WR, Los Angeles Rams)

I think this one is pretty obvious. Davante Adams is the next man up in Los Angeles with Nacua out. He’s been a great addition this year, catching 26 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns in his first five games with Matthew Stafford. They’ve quickly built a very strong connection, but that connection will really be tested this weekend without Nacua on the field this weekend.

Walker Little (LT, Jacksonville Jaguars)

Walker Little is going to be tasked with stopping Jared Verse and Byron Young on Sunday morning. That’s not an easy task for the Jags’ starting left tackle, who has already given up five sacks and 22 pressures. I expect the Rams to focus on Walker Little. Anton Harrison, their starting RT, has been credited with 13 pressures, but no sacks.

The Rams will let their two-star pass rushers pin their ears back and get after Lawrence. They should be able to push Harrison around a bit, but keep your eye on Walker, because that’s where they’ll really attack. If Walker can just play an okay game, it will go a long way towards helping the Jags win this game. If not, then the Rams could completely shut the Jags’ offense down.

Kyren Williams (RB, Los Angeles Rams)

Kyren Williams is enjoying a strong start to the season. He’s already rushed for 418 yards, caught 18 passes for 155 yards, and scored five total touchdowns this season. I think he’s going to end up playing a very big factor in this game.

Not only will Williams be the Rams’ go-to guy on the ground, but I expect him to be a big part of the pass game. He always is, but with Nacua out, he should see even more work through the air. I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams ends up with 100+ total yards and a touchdown or two and is the X-factor in this game.

Bold Predictions

Rams sack Lawrence 6 times

We’ve talked at nauseam about the Rams’ pass rush and why I think they’ll have a big day against the Jags, so I won’t waste too much of your time. The Jags are a pretty good pass-blocking team, but Walker Little is certainly their weak link. I expect the Jags to give him some help, but that just opens things up elsewhere. Don’t be surprised if you see Lawrence under duress all morning.

Tutu Atwell goes for 75+ yards

If you read our Sit ‘Em, Start ‘Em article, you’ll have seen my rationale for this pick. Last year, when Nacua was out, Tutu Atwell averaged nearly five catches and 67 yards per game. Adams will get a ton of attention from the Jags defense, which should open things up for Atwell on the other side. Don’t be surprised if Atwell has a big game in London.

Rams win by two scores

Look, I’m not trying to be a Jaguars hater, but I just don’t think they’re as good as their record says. They’re capable of playing very well, like they did against the Chiefs, but I don’t think their offense is consistent enough, and their defense isn’t all that amazing.

On the other side, I’m a big Rams believer. Matthew Stafford is a top-five quarterback in my eyes, and I always love a team with a good pass rush. I know Nacua is out, and there are some slight concerns about their offense without him, but honestly, I don’t think it’ll matter too much. Adams, Atwell, and Williams should be enough for the Rams to get a big two-score win over the Jags in London.