Battle for LA: Why the winless Chargers could shock the Rams at SoFi Stadium
The PlaybookWelcome to the Battle for Los Angeles.The LA Derby.
El Tráfico.Wait, wrong sport.Whatever you want to call Sunday’s showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and LA Chargers, there’s something inherently ridiculous about calling it a road game when the visiting team has its own locker room, its own sideline and its own name plastered across the same stadium.Only in Los Angeles could two NFL franchises share a home and still argue over who owns the neighborhood.For the Rams (3-4), Sunday’s matchup at SoFi Stadium represents an opportunity to do something they haven’t accomplished all season: win back-to-back games.For the Chargers (0-6), it’s an opportunity to finally win a game, period.The Rams appeared headed toward an early-season funeral before Sean McVay delivered his finest coaching performance of the year in last Sunday’s 35-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
After weeks of questionable play-calling, conservative decisions and special teams disasters, McVay finally remembered he employs two pretty good running backs.Kyren Williams and Blake Corum nearly rushed for 100 yards apiece, combining to spearhead a ground attack that produced nearly 200 yards.The Rams converted all five red-zone opportunities and finally put up the kind of all-around performance we’ve been waiting for.Funny what happens when you stop getting cute and start punching people in the mouth.Matthew Stafford threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the Rams’ all-time leader in touchdown passes and the first quarterback in NFL history to simultaneously hold that distinction for two different franchises.More importantly, the Rams rediscovered an offensive identity that has taken seven weeks to finally unveil itself.They’ll need it against a Chargers defense that’s considerably more dangerous than its 25.2 points allowed per game suggests.The Bolts rank third in opponent third-down conversion percentage, boast a top-10 red-zone defense and have force...