Tag: chargers rams

5 takeaways from Chargers’ 34-17 preseason win over Rams

Here’s what stood out from the Chargers’ preseason victory over the Rams.

The Chargers started their preseason with a victory in the Battle for LA, beating the Rams 34-17.

It was our first look at the latest version of the Bolts, featuring a new offense helmed by Kellen Moore and a revamped defense with Derrick Ansley at the helm.

What stood out? Here are my takeaways:

Highlight: Chargers WR Derius Davis with a spectacular punt return TD vs. Rams

Plays like that are what tempted the Chargers to select Derius Davis.

While Quentin Johnston may not have had the NFL debut Chargers fans were expecting, his college teammate Derius Davis made an early impression.

Midway through the second quarter, Davis took a Rams punt at his own 19, taking a moment to analyze the coverage before bursting through a hole and outrunning the defense for an 81-yard return touchdown.

Plays like that are what tempted LA to select Davis in the fourth round in April.

Top Twitter reactions to Chargers’ win over Rams

How the internet reacted to the Chargers’ win over the Rams on Sunday.

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The Chargers took care of business on Sunday, downing the Rams in the first Battle of L.A.

Here is a look at how the internet reacted to the Bolts’ victory.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 17 with Rams Wire

Answers to a few burning questions about the Rams ahead of their matchup with the Chargers on Sunday.

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The Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams are about to duke it out in the Battle for L.A. on Sunday afternoon.

Before the matchup, Rams Wire managing editor Cameron DaSilva spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.

What should we expect from Baker Mayfield in this one? Is he operating mostly within the offense, or is it a good bit of freelancing still?

He’s certainly not freelancing and has actually played pretty well. There have been times when he’s late on a throw and nearly makes a costly mistake, but for the most part, he’s taking what the defense gives him and going through his reads the way the play was designed to. Sean McVay’s offense fits Mayfield really well, too. He’s had a lot of open receivers thanks to the route concepts, and when no one does get open, he’s able to extend plays with his legs and create off-script.

Cam Akers has come on as of late after struggling this season. What’s been his key to improvement, and how do the Chargers lock him up?

His vision has gotten much better in the last few weeks. Earlier this season, he wasn’t seeing cutback lanes and sometimes not hitting holes that the play was designed to create, so he’d get stuffed in the backfield. Now, he’s seeing lanes much better and when he does have a little room, he’s making defenders miss with his lateral agility and physicality. It’s been fun to watch him improve over the last month or so because it seemed like he’d played his last snap with the Rams before the trade deadline.

The Rams cranked up their usage of 12 personnel last week in their throttling of the Broncos. Would you expect that to continue on Sunday?

Absolutely. A big reason for that was the absence of Ben Skowronek, who’s out for the year. He blocks like a tight end and plays like a receiver, so he could do a little bit of everything. With him out again, I’d expect Brycen Hopkins to get more snaps alongside Tyler Higbee, and that should provide a spark in the running game, too.

Who are some under-the-radar defensive players that have improved for the Rams this season that Chargers fans need to look out for?

Cobie Durant has played really well the last four weeks as the Rams’ nickel corner, taking over for David Long Jr. and Derion Kendrick. He’s a playmaker and ball hawk in the secondary, picking off two passes last week against the Broncos – including an 85-yard pick-six. Michael Hoecht is another player to watch after transitioning from defensive tackle to edge rusher. He’s had some growing pains, particularly when facing motion and play action, but he can get after the quarterback.

What’s your prediction for the game?

I think the Rams will manage to keep it relatively close for about three quarters thanks to their defense, but the Chargers will make a few too many plays to pull away late. I just don’t think the Rams, who did score 51 against the Broncos, will have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Chargers. I’ll say the final score is 24-16.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Rams

Reasons why the Chargers should beat the Rams on Sunday.

The Chargers and Rams face off in a game people will call the battle for Los Angeles on Sunday. But the Bolts have shown that at least this season, they’re the superior squad in the city.

Here are four reasons to be optimistic about a Chargers win.

Season-enders

While the Chargers’ injury troubles have been well-cataloged this season, the only impact player they continue to miss is Rashawn Slater, who may be able to return for a playoff run with the team. Joey Bosa is back and should play in limited fashion as he works himself back into game shape. Pundits always talk about the playoffs coming down to being healthy at the right time, and the Chargers certainly seem to be trending in that direction. The Rams, meanwhile, are not. Their season is already over, but that’s primarily because injuries to Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald have either ended or effectively ended the seasons of the star players. That has left the Rams to fend with Baker Mayfield, Tutu Atwell, and Larrell Murchison in lieu of their big three, which is an awful lot worse. If you haven’t caught a Rams game recently, you’ll be surprised at how different this team looks from the one that won a Super Bowl last year.

First quarter shutdowns

The Rams jumped out in front of the Broncos in the Nathaniel Hackett Christmas Day massacre game thanks largely to a 17-point first quarter that propelled them to a 51-point total. That’s not likely to happen again against the Chargers because the Bolts have shut out their opponent in the first quarter in each of their last four games, the longest streak the franchise has enjoyed since 2011. Brandon Staley’s defense has been humming, from game planning down to execution, and it’s shown in their results. As long as they can continue that on Sunday, they should be able to fend off this patchwork Rams offense.

Turnover prone

Baker Mayfield has only thrown one interception in his three games as the Rams’ starter, but we’ve all seen him before. Mayfield is a known quantity as a fifth-year NFL player, and what we know is twofold: he’s wildly inconsistent and turnover-prone. The inconsistency is essential: so far, Mayfield has played well, middling, and exceptional in that order. Sean McVay’s offense has managed to avoid the disastrous performances that ultimately drove Mayfield out of Cleveland and Carolina. But that performance is likely just part of who he is as a quarterback, and it’s not unreasonable to think it may come this week against a Chargers defense that has forced 21 takeaways this season and at least two in three of their past four games.

Weak secondary

Even Jalen Ramsey has been in somewhat of a slump this season, which has only exacerbated the issues in a young and inexperienced Rams secondary. Injuries have touched the position group as well, with safety Jordan Fuller on injured reserve. Rookies Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant have been on one heck of a rollercoaster ride to start their NFL careers, with Durant playing well as of late. Taylor Rapp still can’t seem to get his eyes in the right place at safety, but the Rams don’t have many more options besides him. All of this combines to form the 20th-best pass defense in the NFL by DVOA. Justin Herbert would certainly like a bounceback game after failing to throw a touchdown pass in either of the last two games. The Rams will certainly provide that opportunity if season-long trends are any indication.

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 17 opponent: Rams

Here are some key things to know about the Los Angeles Chargers’ opponent ahead of the Week 17 matchup.

After clinching a spot in the playoffs, the Chargers will now play for postseason seeding. This weekend, they take on the Rams, marking the first time the two teams play each other in a regular season game at SoFi Stadium.

To get you prepped for the Week 17 bout, here are some key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

Missing key players

The Rams’ defense has heavily relied on star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. But the team has been without him over the past month, as he has dealt with a high ankle sprain. Donald, who made his ninth Pro Bowl, has amassed 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games. On the other side of the ball, wide receiver Cooper Kupp will also be out. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year has been sidelined for multiple games after ankle surgery. Kupp has 75 catches for 812 yards and six touchdowns. WR Allen Robinson is also on injured reserve after season-ending foot surgery.

The man under center

Since being signed after previously playing with the Panthers to start the season, quarterback Baker Mayfield has shown he fits the scheme with his flashes in his three performances. Mayfield led a 98-yard game-winning drive in his Rams debut against the Raiders. This past Sunday, he completed 24 of his 28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-14 rout of the Broncos.

Cam Akers has found his footing

There had been a point in the season where running back Cam Aker’s name had been swirling surrounding trade rumors. However, nothing came out of it, and upon returning to the starting lineup, Akers has played admirably well. Akers has run 64 times for 285 yards and six touchdowns over the last four games, including a 118-yard and three-touchdown performance against Denver.

Hasn’t been at his best

Jalen Ramsey has been touted as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL for many years. But this has been a bit of a down year for Ramsey. Ramsey has allowed a completion percentage of 64.1%, 13.0 yards per reception, and a passer rating of 109.3.

Other notes

  • The Rams’ offensive line has allowed the second-most sacks (34).
  • The Rams rank 24th in offensive DVOA, 22nd in passing defense DVOA, and 24th in rush offense DVOA.
  • The Rams rank 16th in defensive DVOA, 20th in passing defense DVOA, and 7th in rush defense DVOA.
  • After Kupp, tight end Tyler Higbee is the Rams’ leading receiver, with 65 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns.