NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams will be the road team in their own stadium as they take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The game was originally scheduled to be the Sunday night game but has been flexed to 1:25 pm on CBS. The Rams are coming off their most impressive performance of the season, defeating the Denver Broncos 51-14, their 2nd win in their last 3 games. Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 24-28 passes, setting a Rams record for completion percentage at 85%. Mayfield threw for 230 with 2 touchdowns. This marked the first game of the season the Rams offensive line did not allow a sack. The Chargers are coming off a 20-3 win over the Indianapolis Colts, their 3rd win in a row. The victory clinched a playoff berth for the Chargers. Both teams will look to continue their momentum.
Rams Offense vs Chargers Defense
In their win over the Broncos, the Rams did not commit a single turnover. The offensive line had the best performance of the season, giving Mayfield time to find his receivers in the passing game. TE Tyler Higbee led the team with 9 receptions for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Rams TE’s played a significant part in the Rams passing attack as Mayfield completed half of his passes to Higbee and TE Brycen Hopkins. Mayfield completed passes to 8 different players in the game. Rams coach Sean McVay’s game plan allowed for Mayfield to move around the pocket with designed rollouts, giving him additional time to find open receivers. Look for the Rams to use a similar passing scheme against the Chargers. The Chargers defense is led by LB Khalil Mack, who leads the team with 8 sacks. Mack will look to bring pressure from the outside. The Rams offensive tackles will look to force Mack upfield, providing openings for Mayfield avenues of escape. The Chargers did get good news this week as star player Joey Bosa, out since week 3, was designated to practice. The Chargers do not expect Bosa to play this week but do expect him back in time for their playoff run.
In the game against the Broncos, the Rams ran for 158 yards on 36 carries. RB Cam Akers led the way with a season-high 118 yards on 23 carries and 3 touchdowns. Since his return to the team, Akers running has improved each week. Akers is running with more determination and with a physicality he was not showing early in the season. Look for Akers to get a bulk of the carries against the Chargers with rookie RB Kyren Williams and Malcom Brown spelling him in the backfield. The Rams have been using the jet sweep in their running attack in recent weeks. Look for the Rams to establish their running game early, allowing the Rams to use play action in their passing game.
Rams Defense vs Chargers Offense
In their win against the Broncos, the Rams were able to put constant pressure on Russell Wilson, sacking him 6 times led by DT Larrell Murchison with 2 sacks. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked 4 times in the game against the Colts. Look for the Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris to use a game plan that puts pressure on Herbert from the outside and forcing him to step in the pocket with the Rams interior defensive lineman waiting to meet him. Herbert did complete 24-31 passes for 235 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and threw 1 interception. WR Keenan Allen led the Chargers with 11 receptions for 104 yards. Mike Willams was 2nd on the team with 4 receptions for 76 yards. Allen has been Herbert’s primary receiver. Look for Rams DB Jalen Ramsey to shadow Allen when the Rams play man coverage with DB Troy Hill shadowing Williams. Rams rookie DB Cobie Durant has impressed in recent games, picking off 2 passes including one for a pick-six in the win against the Broncos. Look for Durant to see a lot of playing time against the Chargers.
In their win against the Colts, the Chargers ran for 101 yards on 32 carries. RB Austin Ekeler led the way with 67 yards on 18 carries with 2 touchdowns. RB Joshua Kelley contributed 33 yards on 9 carries. Ekeler is the featured back In the Chargers backfield, running for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns for the season. Ekeler is also a threat in the passing game, with 99 receptions for 647 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Rams defense will need to be aware of where Ekeler is on the field at all times. Look for Rams inside LB Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones to plug up inside running lanes to slow down the Chargers running game. The Rams interior defensive linemen will need to get off their blocks as quickly as possible to help close up running lanes. On the outside, edge rushers Leonard Floyd and Michael Hoecht will need to maintain containment discipline and not allow the Chargers running backs to bounce outside.
Prediction
The Rams will look to build on their all-team effort victory against the Broncos while the Chargers will look to extend their winning streak to 4 games as they start preparing for the playoffs. Chargers head coach Branden Staley has some familiarity with the Rams, serving as their defensive coordinator in 2020. Look for Staley to provide a wrinkle in the Chargers defense to attack the Rams offense. As impressive as the Rams were in their win against the Chargers, look for the Chargers to extend their winning streak in a tough, hard-fought game.
Chargers 21
Rams. 17
