Chargers vs. Rams: Who has the edge?
In this Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Rams cornerback Marcus Peters cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Los Angeles. The Chargers and the Rams will meet on the Coliseum field Sunday for the first time since the two franchises' relocations to Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
By Ryan Kartje | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: September 21, 2018 at 2:50 p.m. | UPDATED: September 23, 2018 at 9:36 a.m.
CHARGERS (1-1) at RAMS (2-0)
When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m. PT
Where: L.A. Memorial Coliseum
Line: Rams by 7
TV/Radio: KCBS/2; 710-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish), 640-AM, 980-AM (Spanish)
CHARGERS OFFENSE VS. RAMS DEFENSE
It might be a small sample size, but through two weeks in which they've suffocated the Cardinals and Raiders offenses, no defense in the NFL has been more ferocious – or just generally terrifying in every way – than the Rams. Sure, their first two opponents might end up among the worst in the league this season on that side of the ball. But posting six consecutive shutout quarters is nothing to scoff at under any circumstances. Last week, Arizona didn't cross midfield until there were less than 30 seconds left in the game.
The secondary, led by press-man mavens Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, has been as advertised; the Rams are the only team yet to allow a passing touchdown. The interior pass rush of Ndamukong Suh and defending Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has been frightening enough on reputation alone to force quarterbacks into getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible. With only 15 first downs allowed over the past six quarters, the Rams have been dominant, from front to back. But this week, they may finally have a worthy adversary.
The Chargers, who boast the third-most yards in the league after two weeks, are one of the few teams with the weapons necessary to keep the Rams defense on its heels. Quarterback Philip Rivers is capable of getting the ball out quickly and accurately, presuming he's not throwing too often at Peters, who has given him fits in the past. Wideout Keenan Allen has found some success against Peters in previous meetings, and the Chargers will be eager to exploit his elite quickness off the line. In fact, they'll need to, early and often, if they have any hope of manufacturing big plays against a defense that's already stifled the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and the Raiders' Amari Cooper.
Sign up for Home Turf and get exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.
The key to victory likely lies in the ground game. The Chargers have a pair of running backs in Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler who can grind out on early downs and catch short dumpoffs when needed, which will be vital for keeping the offense out of 3rd-and-long situations and extending drives. If the Chargers are forced to abandon the run or can't find those backs in the short passing game, it's going to be tough sledding for Rivers and Co. Judging by what we've seen from this Rams defense, it probably will be, regardless. EDGE: Rams
RAMS OFFENSE VS. CHARGERS DEFENSE
Before the Rams went on a defensive spending spree this offseason, adding Suh and two new All-Pro corners, the Chargers boasted arguably the league's most dangerous combination of pass rush and shutdown secondary. Cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams are capable of stifling most top receivers, even one as devastating on deep routes as Brandin Cooks. And when its intact, the edge rush of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa is pretty much unmatched throughout the league.
But Bosa will miss this game – his third straight – with a bone bruise in his foot, and without him, the Chargers may struggle to manufacture the pass rush necessary to throw the Rams passing game off kilter. The Rams offensive line, which has been one of the league's best to start the season, will hone in on slowing down Ingram, forcing someone else on the Chargers defense to force quarterback Jared Goff off of his spot.
That could be rookie safety Derwin James, who has been a revelation to start this season. A swiss-army-knife defender, who has played all over the field already, James' presence on the Chargers defense is perhaps the best weapon to catch the Rams' high-powered offense off guard. He'll rush off the edge, play deep, guard the slot, and possibly shadow running back Todd Gurley. If James can cut off options in the short passing game and relegate Gurley to rushing between the tackles, in a similar way to what Atlanta did during the Rams' wildcard loss last season, James could have a huge impact on this game.
But slowing the Rams offense, no matter how many good players you have, is far easier said than done. It's only made more complicated by the Rams dominant play up front. That offensive line play hasn't translated to much room for Gurley to run. He's only averaging 3.8 yards per carry so far. But Gurley still has 220 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in two weeks. On Sunday, he'll be up against an array of young linebackers who have yet to face anyone like him.
The best option to stop McVay's offense is to never give the Rams the ball at all, but when the Rams do have possession, pressuring Goff will be paramount. He's already clicking with the Rams top three receivers, and if he has enough time in the pocket, the Chargers' secondary will have a serious test in keeping the Rams' receivers from finding open space on the perimeter. McVay's offense is unmatched when it comes to creating those opportunities out of thin air. EDGE: Rams
The Rams will be without their starting kicker, Greg Zuerlein, and their Pro Bowl returner, Pharoh Cooper, and still, it's no guarantee the Chargers will outperform them when it comes to special teams. That's a credit, in part, to Rams punter Johnny Hekker who continues to be one of the most effective field position weapons in the NFL. Without Zuerlein, the Rams' kicking duties will be entrusted to Sam Ficken, who was solid when filling in for Zuerlein at the end of last season, but remains somewhat unproven.
The Chargers will have their entire special teams group intact, but as recent history tells us, that might not be a good thing. Field goals have yet to become an issue for new kicker Caleb Sturgis, but again, this is the Chargers we're talking about. With the league's most snakebitten franchise, a disastrous miss always seem right around the corner. So far, their only devastating misstep came in the return game. While rookie J.J. Jones was electrifying as a returner in the preseason, he's already fumbled away one crucial punt return this season. EDGE: Even
Before hiring Sean McVay, who went on to win NFL Coach of the Year in his first-ever campaign as a head coach, the Rams interviewed Anthony Lynn. Ultimately, they passed, hiring McVay on the same day the Chargers announced Lynn as their coach. Both have since been successful in shifting the trajectory of their respective franchises. But only one has proven able to outsmart and outscheme pretty much every coach he's up against. Across the league, coaches spent the offseason mining McVay's offense for answers, but so far, that hasn't proven fruitful when it comes to stopping it. Couple his offense with Wade Phillips' defense, and you won't find many teams capable of outcoaching the Rams. EDGE: Rams
The "Fight for LA" is more marketing ploy than actual rallying cry, but for both L.A. teams, this first intracity showdown is a significant early test to see where each stands. The Rams look like true Super Bowl contenders, but have yet to prove themselves against a legitimate playoff team. In spite of their two inferior opponents to start the season, there's no reason to think the Rams will come out flat, even though their record at home under Sean McVay is worse than their road record. The Chargers, given the locale and a crowd of fans who could be hostile towards L.A.'s "other" team, are in more danger of tripping out of the gate. After many missteps against the Chiefs in Week 1 and a questionable second half against the Bills, the Chargers will be eager to prove themselves. They've dismissed any talk of a rivalry, but quieting fans at the Coliseum could provide some much-needed momentum. EDGE: Even
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Chargers interior offensive line vs. Rams interior defensive line. Three-time Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey saw firsthand just how dominant Ndamukong Suh could be when they played together in Miami. Now, he'll be central to the Chargers' efforts to slow down Suh and Aaron Donald – a task that has so far proven next-to-impossible. Making matters more difficult are the two inexperienced guards flanking him, Dan Feeney and Michael Schofield, who, if defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has his way, will find themselves in 1-on-1 matchups all afternoon long. If the Chargers can't effectively double-team them and Suh and Donald blow up the interior consistently, it's anyone's guess as to how the Chargers plan to move the ball.
Ryan Kartje, Chargers beat writer:
RAMS 30, CHARGERS 23: There's a reason why both of these teams were labeled Super Bowl contenders before the season. Each has a fleet of explosive weapons on offense and defenses filled with potential playmakers. But in this matchup, with Bosa out and the Rams firing on all cylinders, the Chargers will have to play a near-perfect game to have a chance. Turnovers will play a huge role in deciding this one, and few teams are more capable of creating them – and taking advantage – than the Rams. Wade Phillips, who knows Philip Rivers better than most, will scheme to take away Ekeler and Gordon and force Rivers into making plays down the field. Against the Rams pass defense, that urgency can turn on you in a hurry.
Rich Hammond, Rams beat writer:
RAMS 31, CHARGERS 21: There basically is one path to victory for the Chargers, who will need to get an early lead, sit on the ball and frustrate the Rams by winning the time-of-possession battle, and perhaps force a turnover or two. Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will be big in this one, and his pass-catching ability could cause some problems, but the Rams' defense has been dominant, and it still hasn't gotten the best out of Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. On the other side, even if Rams running back Todd Gurley is slowed, as he was early in last week's game, all three of their receivers – Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp – are clicking with quarterback Jared Goff.
los-angeles-chargers
Ryan Kartje | Reporter
Ryan Kartje is a sports features reporter, with a special focus on the NFL and college sports. He has worked for the Orange County Register since 2012, when he was hired as UCLA beat writer. His enterprise work on the rise and fall of the daily fantasy sports industry (http://www.ocregister.com/articles/industry-689093-fantasy-daily.html) was honored in 2015 with an Associated Press Sports Editors' enterprise award in the highest circulation category. His writing has also been honored by the Football Writers Association of America and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ryan worked for the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times and Fox Sports Wisconsin, before moving out west to live by the beach and eat copious amounts of burritos.
Follow Ryan Kartje	@Ryan_Kartje