MIAMI — A number of weeks in the past, the Rams and Chargers bought off to matching 2-0 begins for the primary time since 2001, triumphant launches that even prompted some wistful and way-too-premature ponderings of an All-Los Angeles Tremendous Bowl.
Now, like two bottle rockets veering wildly astray, the NFL franchises cross paths once more and face comparable predicaments.
Each are 3-2, coming off soul-stomping losses at SoFi Stadium, and wish to proper themselves with East Coast video games in opposition to 1-4 groups in downward slides.
The Chargers play on the Miami Dolphins, who simply misplaced to the Carolina Panthers and out-of-nowhere operating again Rico Dowdle. He ran for 206 yards and was used so closely that within the fourth quarter he needed to go away the sport briefly due to cramping in each legs. He drank 4 jars of pickle juice earlier than reentering, a hiatus that in all probability price him the membership’s single-game dashing document.
The Rams play on the Baltimore Ravens, coming off a 44-10 collapse to Houston. In a merciless twist, the Ravens are horrible on protection, usually Baltimore’s sturdy swimsuit, and never simply because they needed to substitute 5 injured defensive starters with rookies final week. They had been unhealthy earlier than that. And quarterback Lamar Jackson is injured, too, so journeyman backup Cooper Rush is beginning in his place.
These ought to be get-right video games for the 2 L.A. groups, though the Rams are on footing that’s considerably extra stable than the Chargers. The Rams can be 5-0 however for a blocked field-goal try at Philadelphia and a fumble on the purpose line in opposition to San Francisco. That’s the way in which the NFL is, although, with a variety of video games hinging on a play or two — and the Rams did not make them.
After the Baltimore sport, the Rams journey to London to face Jacksonville. When the schedule was launched, that abroad sport regarded like the better of the 2. However the Jaguars have overwhelmed San Francisco and Kansas Metropolis in consecutive weeks and determine to offer the Rams all they will deal with.
In the meantime, after a 3-0 begin in opposition to their AFC West foes, the Chargers are in a dire scenario. They’ve misplaced two in a row, to the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, and their offensive line is a catastrophe. They’ve misplaced their two high operating backs, too, and can’t defend Justin Herbert, absorbing extra hits than any quarterback within the league.
It is a big check for Jim Harbaugh, who has a longtime document of bettering groups in his second season as coach. Final yr’s Chargers made the playoffs and by no means misplaced greater than two video games in a row, so the usual has been set.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts after a missed catch throughout a win over the Denver Broncos on Sept. 21 at SoFi Stadium.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Occasions)
Whereas the Rams and Chargers work to regain their equilibrium, others of their respective divisions are making a transfer. The 49ers have overwhelmed all three NFC West opponents. The Denver Broncos, though they misplaced to the Chargers, are gathering momentum, together with a win at Philadelphia final week.
The Eagles, it’s value noting, are emblematic of the weirdness of the NFL. They’re coming off a Tremendous Bowl win and have been so dominant, but they misplaced Thursday night time to the Giants.
With that in thoughts, it’s untimely to put in writing off the Chargers regardless of their issues, which don’t have a transparent and quick resolution. It’s an unpredictable league.
The Chargers and Dolphins have extra in frequent than distress. In an alternate universe, Herbert may very well be the quarterback in Miami, and Harbaugh may very well be his coach there.
Again in 2019, the widespread conjecture was the no-hope Dolphins had been going to deliberately lose their video games to get the No. 1 decide. Some followers coined a catchphrase — “Tank for Tua” — a reference to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who did the truth is wind up in Miami.
However by the tip of that faculty soccer season, Louisiana State’s Joe Burrow was the projected high decide, and the Dolphins — led by coach Brian Flores and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick — refused to roll over. They gained 5 video games, securing the fifth decide, and selected Tagovailoa over Herbert, who went sixth to the Chargers. There was actual debate in Miami over these two gamers.
That’s all within the distant previous, after all. The Chargers are centered on the current, as are the Rams. Who can cease the spiral? We should always study loads in a single Sunday.
