Los Angeles Rams @ Jacksonville Jaguars: Preview, prediction and odds

• Last Update: October 16, 2025 05:18:24 pm BST • 5 min read

Despite their strong start to the season, the Jaguars trail the Indianapolis Colts (5-1) by a game in the AFC South, and a meeting with the Rams promises to provide another stern test.

The Rams got back to winning ways against a Baltimore Ravens team missing Lamar Jackson last week, though their shock defeat to the severely undermanned San Francisco 49ers the week prior means they sit third in the NFC West behind San Francisco and Seattle.

Still, Matthew Stafford continues to shine under center for Los Angeles, performing efficiently while pushing the ball downfield at the second-highest rate in the NFL. Stafford ranks fourth in air yards per attempt (9), with only Baker Mayfield (32) attempting more throws of 20 yards or more than Stafford (28).

Stafford’s ability to succeed against a fast-flowing Jaguars defense that thrives on turnovers may be compromised somewhat by the likely absence of star wide receiver Puka Nacua.

Nacua (ankle) was injured in the win over the Ravens and missed practice on Wednesday.

While the Rams still have one of the best receivers to play the game in the form of veteran Davante Adams, the potential removal of Nacua from the equation theoretically improves the odds of Jacksonville slowing down the LA passing attack, with the advantage in terms of weapons set to reside with the Jaguars as they look to make it eight wins from 14 games in London in franchise history.

Leading receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has 170 yards over the last two weeks having put a slow start behind him, while the Jaguars will hope to get what had been a productive run game back on track after it was shackled by the Seahawks last week.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sacked a season-high seven times in the defeat to Seattle but, if the Jags can better protect him against a deep and destructive Rams defensive front, they’ll hope to get two-way rookie Travis Hunter more involved in the offense.

Save for a strong showing against the Chiefs, Hunter hasn’t lived up to his status as the second overall pick, whom the Jaguars traded a mighty haul to move up in the draft and select.

But Hunter, who has played 63 percent of the offensive snaps at wideout and 39 percent of the snaps on defense at cornerback, is not panicking about a lack of production to this point.

“t’s very important for me to be patient,” Hunter said.

“I’ve just got to let the game come to me. The coaches are trying to dial up some things for me. I just got to continue to just work, and just have the guys trust me because I’m doing my job every time. I’ve just got to continue to do my job.”

Against a Rams secondary that is vulnerable, Hunter will hope the trip across the pond will bring his breakout game.