Los Angeles Rams: First true test comes in Week 3
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Rams got off to about as dominant of a start as a team could have in the first two weeks. Week three, though, is no walk in the park.
The Los Angeles Rams are living up to expectations as the best team in the NFL with two statement wins in the first two weeks of the NFL season.
In Week 1, the Rams were caught off-guard by the Jon Gruden-led Oakland Raiders in the first half and played sluggish, likely due to the fact that very few starters saw playing time in the preseason. However, the Rams made the adjustments in the second half and walked away with an easy 33-13 victory.
In Week 2, the Rams got another cupcake game in the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are primed to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season and stood no match at all for the Rams. Los Angeles easily dismantled the Cardinals, 34-0.
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The scary thing about this Rams team is the team still did not seem to be at full strength in the two contests and still won by a combined margin of 77-13. If that is what this team can do at 75 percent, imagine what is possible at 100 percent.
Still, the Rams had one of the easiest starts and will finally have a fun game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.
In what has been pinned the “Fight for LA”, although the Raiders arguably have more fans than either team in Los Angeles, the two weapon-filled teams will battle in what should be the most fun game to watch on Sunday.
How is this not a Monday Night Football primetime game?
The Chargers have significantly more weapons than either of the teams before them on the Rams schedule. Philip Rivers is proving to be consistent and efficient yet again and his receiving corps, outside from some key drops in Week 1, are very talented.
The Chargers have a nice two-back set in Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler and one of the most underrated offensive lines in football that really is in the top five.
Defensively, the Chargers have a great secondary that had underperformed and a defensive line that has been good even without Joey Bosa. If Joey Bosa plays, it only makes this team more dangerous.
The Chargers biggest weakness last season, stopping the run, has actually been decent. The Chargers have allowed 106 rushing yards, the 19th-most in the league. The 3.9 yards per attempt allowed is the tenth fewest.
Thus, it is safe to say that the Los Angeles Rams have their work cut out for them against the Chargers. However, the Rams still are the more talented team.
At full strength, this Chargers team has the capability to beat the Rams and very well could in Week 3. However, the Rams are better at running back, even if not better at receiver and deeper in both the defensive line and secondary.
The linebackers on both teams are weak so the Chargers likely have the edge. The Rams are much better on special teams, and most importantly, have a significant edge in the coaching department.
Anthony Lynn has not done much to gain the full trust of any Charger fan. Sean McVay has already emerged as one of the best coaches in the league.
Either way, no matter who wins this first edition of the “Fight for LA” this is going to be more than a fight; this is going to be a battle, a shootout that could be a preview of the first intercity Super Bowl matchup.
Ranking the Rams roster by position. dark. Next
Champions are not born in Week 3. However, if the Los Angeles Rams want to cement their place as Super Bowl favorites, a win over the Los Angeles Chargers would go a long way.