LA Sports Hub staff predicts Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
By Jason Reed
The first-ever regular season “Fight for LA” matchup is almost upon us as the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams should provide fireworks on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams are set to face off for the first time in the regular season while both being under the Los Angeles umbrella.
While the passion of LA football fans has been questioned by mainstream media, this game is still going to be the most entertaining to watch on Sunday and the game that every NFL fan should have their TV sets turned to.
Both the Chargers and Rams are filled with explosive players that could either lead to a defensive standstill or an offensive back and forth battle.
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For the Rams, this will be the team’s first true test against a playoff-caliber opponent. For the Chargers, it is the second game of such caliber as the team lost in Week 1 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Every week, we predict the winner and score for both the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, with the wins leader at the end of the season getting a prize. This week, it is a bit different, as the two sides play each other.
Hopefully, we are all split on this game. So far (as we missed the Chargers-Chiefs game) we are all undefeated.
Lamarr Fields (3-0): Rams 27, Chargers 24
I think this game will be a nail-biter. This will be the Rams’ first test against a good offense. Philip Rivers and company will have success early before the Rams make adjustments. The Rams will win on last second field goal.
Sarah Maninger (3-0): Rams 38, Chargers 24
Alright LA Football fans, get ready for the best week of the season. With the Chargers traveling a mere 12 miles from the StubHub center to the Los Angeles Coliseum, they’ll stay within their home city of LA.
The similarities, it seems, end there.
Even though the season has just begun, the Rams are undoubtedly the stronger team and have a bigger chance to make it to the Super Bowl than the Chargers. That said, the Chargers could make this difficult on the Rams.
Philip Rivers is a solid QB and could challenge Jared Goff. No matter how the game ends, this game is going to be one to remember. So, is it kickoff yet?
Jamaal Artis (3-0): Rams 30, Chargers 17
The Rams-Chargers game will be a real test for both. The Chargers face one of the elite teams in the NFL and the Rams face the team’s best opponent so far in the season.
I don’t think the Rams will be able to sustain their scoreless quarter streak but the Chargers still won’t have Joey Bosa to rush Jared Goff. This is a slow game that the Rams will pull away from.
Redan Lopez (0-0): Rams 31, Chargers 20
The Los Angeles Rams boast the elite offense in the league, and I don’t think there’s a chance the Chargers can slow them down. While the Chargers may have star cornerback Casey Hayward, they are also missing key Defensive End Joey Bosa.
Without Bosa, the Chargers will not have the pass rush necessary to put Rams Quarterback Jared Goff into many pressure situations. This will leave Goff with the freedom to get off passes to Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp whenever he wants. Spreading the ball around will give Todd Gurley the room to mount a powerful rushing attack.
The Chargers may have a good offense, but I don’t see Philip Rivers having a great game because the Rams will put some pressure on him. As we know, Rivers is often susceptible to giving the ball away, especially when he’s rushing to get rid it because of offensive line breakdowns.
The Rams and Chargers will be neck and neck in the 1st half, but the Rams will pull away in the 2nd. They are at home, have the healthier offensive weapons, and will put heavy fatigue on the Chargers’ defense.
The Chargers will try to mount a comeback, but it will be too little too late.
Jason Reed (3-0): Chargers 33, Rams 28
Yup. I am going against the rest of my staff on this one. This could be a chance to pull a game away from the pack or fall a game behind. Either way, there are 26 more games that we are going to guess, I have some ground to make up.
I am not picking the Chargers to be different, though. And while I still think the Los Angeles Rams are the more talented team, this feels like a game that the Los Angeles Chargers steal with the Rams failing to convert on the last touchdown attempt of the game.
I have thought about this game quite a bit as I am so intrigued by it and I see it playing out in one instance more than others.
The Chargers are going to get off to a hot start. The fast-tempo offense and multiple weapons will be something this new Rams defense is not yet used to. Before you know it, the Chargers will have a 10-0 lead on the Rams. A 24-14 lead heading into the break.
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That is when the Rams are going to get back into it and make it a close game. A touchdown from the Rams will make it a one-possession game, the Chargers will respond with a field goal. 27-21, Chargers.
The Rams will then take the lead with about six minutes or so left in the fourth quarter. Out will come Philip Rivers and the offense and a methodical drive will lead to six points. The team will go for two to try and make it a seven-point game and fail.
Chargers 33, Rams 28, giving Jared Goff about two minutes to drive down the field and they will.
Next. Chargers' keys to victory. dark
However, in the last play of the game, the Chargers will ultimately get the red zone stop and win the first battle of LA. Write all of this down, if it happens, I am sharing this article everywhere and will be featured on multiple ESPN shows.