Chargers at Rams: Key Matchups

Where and how the game between l.a. and L.A. will be won

The Chargers and Rams meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. As they do every time they play in L.A. or Carson, the Bolts will be the road team.

The Rams are seven point favorites but should probably be a little more.  They’re scoring more than 30 points a game while giving up six points a game. However they haven’t faced an offense anywhere near as good as the one the Chargers will throw at them so we don’t really know yet just how good the Rams defense is.



Alright yes we do. The Rams have not allowed a single point in their last six quarters of football. They have the best defensive line and best secondary in the NFL and with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips calling the plays this unit is has the chance to be historically good.

So how does this one go down? Here are three matchups to keep an eye on because they could determine the outcome.

Rams Linebackers vs. Chargers Running Backs

If there’s a weak link in the Rams defense it’s at linebacker. Those are the guys who often end up covering running backs when they venture out to be pass catchers. Philip Rivers has been extremely effective throwing to Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler so that could be a place for the Bolts to move down the field, especially on 3rd downs. Plus with the Rams pass rush being able to get pressure up the middle as well as it can expect the Chargers to employ a lot of short passes and screens to get the ball out fast.

Chargers Secondary vs. Brandin Cooks

Casey Hayward is one of the best corners in the league and safety Derwin James is the clubhouse leader in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race. But in Week 1 we saw how elite speed can wreck this Chargers defense. Brandon Cooks is not as fast as Tyree Hill but the man can fly. Sean McVay likes to take shots down the field and if Cooks gets loose he’ll be in the end zone in a flash and if the Rams put the Chargers in a hole and make them have to throw to catch up and can turn those pass rushers loose it’s going to be a very painful day for Rivers.

Anthony Lynn vs. Sean McVay


Both are 2nd year head coaches with backgrounds in offense but that’s pretty much where the comparisons stop. From a philosophical standpoint they are very different. Lynn wants to control the ball with the running game. McVay wants to light up the scoreboard at every possible opportunity attacking from anywhere and everywhere. Both have merit but only one has the personnel to really make it work.

BONUS MATCHUP: Rams Fans vs. Chargers Fans

Tickets are so much cheaper for games at the Coliseum than they are at StubHub Center that if there are as many Chargers fans in LA as the Spanos clan thinks there are a lot of it will show up here. They’ll be vastly outnumbered by Rams fans but if they can get 20,000-30,000 in this barn it might provide hope they do indeed have a fan base in Los Angeles.

Derek’s Prediction

Pretty simple to me. The Rams have far too many weapons on offense and defense for the Chargers to contend with. Oh, and L.A. is also superior on special teams, something that has haunted the Bolts for years.

Final score: Rams 31, Chargers 16

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