RAIDERS (5-7) AT RAMS (3-9)

When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/Radio: Prime Video/710 AM; 93.1 FM; 1330 AM (Spanish); Sirius 83, 225

Line: Raiders by 6½ points

Notable injury designations: Rams: DL Aaron Donald (out; ankle), QB John Wolford (questionable; neck), WR Brandon Powell (questionable; illness), CB Troy Hill (questionable; groin), LB Travin Howard (out; hip), OLB Terrell Lewis (out; back), WR Lance McCutcheon (questionable; shoulder), CB David Long (out; groin)

Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs (questionable; quadricep/calf), CB Rock Ya-Sin (out; knee), DT Andrew Billings (out; fibula), LB Jayon Brown (out; hand)

What’s at stake? For the Rams, an opportunity to evaluate new quarterback Baker Mayfield – that’s if he plays Thursday night. For the Raiders, an opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games and make a real push at making the playoffs. But there’s an element of mystery for the Raiders with not knowing who will start at quarterback for the Rams. Rams coach Sean McVay didn’t rule out the possibility of Mayfield starting under center three days after being waived by the Carolina Panthers and two days after being claimed by the Rams. Quarterbacks John Wolford, who’s dealing with neck soreness, and Bryce Perkins are also options for the Rams. Last week, this Thursday night matchup with two losing teams lacked appeal. Now there’s plenty of interest with the Raiders riding a three-game winning streak and the arrival of Mayfield.

Who’s better? Clearly, the Raiders after defeating the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Chargers the past three weeks. They’ve leaned on the offensive trio of quarterback Derek Carr, running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams to turn around their season after starting 2-7. Rumors swirled about first-year Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels being on the hot seat, but the outside noise has stopped with McDaniels getting improved play from Carr and Jacobs, who’s in the midst of a breakout season and potentially on his way to an All-Pro selection. The Raiders can take advantage of the banged-up Rams to stay within striking distance of the postseason, but the Rams gave the Seahawks and Chiefs fits the past two weeks.

Matchup to watch: Adams, a five-time Pro Bowler, against Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has struggled this season against the best receivers in the NFL. Ramsey allowed the game-winning touchdown to Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf last week. The Rams’ All-Pro cornerback sat by his locker with a blank stare for a lengthy period after the loss to Seattle. Ramsey is probably itching for a bounce-back performance, but he’ll have his hands full versus Adams, who had eight receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers last week.

Rams win if: … Bobby Wagner and the short-handed defense contain the Raiders’ rushing attack with a red-hot Jacobs, who has a league-high 1,303 rushing yards this season. With a balanced attack, Carr has developed a strong connection with Adams, his former Fresno State teammate, this season. The Rams will probably have a tough time making the Raiders one dimensional without Aaron Donald on the field, but they got it done last week against the Seahawks. It also helped that Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III exited early because of injury, but Wagner and Michael Hoecht delivered many impact plays to make life difficult for the Seahawks.

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Fantasy sleeper: Second-year wide receiver Tutu Atwell has become a playmaker in the Rams’ offense and he’s due for a breakout performance. Atwell has flashed his potential in small samples the past three games, including last week with 71 total yards against the Seahawks. He recorded his first career touchdown with a 62-yard bomb against the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 and provided two critical catches during the Rams’ lone touchdown drive versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. He’s due for a 100-yard performance with a touchdown and McVay might help him get it Thursday night after expressing regret for not getting Atwell involved earlier in the season.

Prediction: The Raiders will likely create pressure for the Rams’ to-be-determined quarterback with their stout pass-rushing duo of Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby. It will likely be a long day for Mayfield, Wolford or Perkins behind a Rams offensive line that has struggled most of the season. The Raiders make it four straight and defeat the Rams 28-24. Beat reporter’s record: 9-3 for the season; 5-6-1 against the spread.