Are the Chargers pretty much as good as their 6-3 report suggests?
Are the Rams higher than the staff that muddled by way of an unsightly Monday evening loss to Miami?
We’re across the halfway level of the NFL season, and each Los Angeles groups are nonetheless defining themselves. They’re neither actually good nor actually dangerous, however the massive take a look at comes over the following 4 weeks.
The Chargers have gained three in a row and 4 of 5 however there’s nary a profitable report amongst these 4 groups they beat — Denver, New Orleans, Cleveland and Tennessee — and that foursome is at present a mixed 12-26.
You may basically flip that report for the following 4 groups the Chargers play: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Atlanta and Kansas Metropolis, who’re a mixed 26-13.
The Rams, in the meantime, have been so up and down that their followers are seasick. The staff adopted a 1-4 begin by profitable three in a row, and seemed like a squad nobody wished to face, particularly with the stellar receiving tandem of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua again and within the movement.
Then the Rams fizzled at dwelling Monday in a 23-15 loss to the Dolphins, who have been 2-6 coming into the sport. Much more disappointing for the Rams, that they had a few key offensive linemen again and have been beginning to really feel as in the event that they have been gathering momentum.
The Rams play at New England on Sunday — the Patriots aren’t pushovers — then play dwelling in opposition to Philadelphia, at New Orleans, and again dwelling in opposition to Buffalo. The 7-2 Eagles and 8-2 Payments lead their respective divisions.
Though they’re one of many NFL’s youngest groups, the Rams have some skilled management on offense in quarterback Matthew Stafford and Kupp. Plus, their defensive position has proven actual promise regardless of the retirement of future Corridor of Famer Aaron Donald.
What we don’t know is whether or not these Rams have the identical structure as final season’s model, which started 3-6 earlier than stepping on the fuel in mid-November and profitable seven of eight to make the playoffs.
Simply as mysterious are the Chargers underneath the seasoned Jim Harbaugh, in his debut season as coach. If this can be a marathon, they’re on the base of Heartbreak Hill and gazing up a gentle incline.
On Sunday evening, the Chargers play host to the Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow, who has the most well liked hand this facet of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
The Bengals may very well be welcoming the return of receiver Tee Higgins, who missed the final three video games with a quadriceps harm, and left deal with Orlando Brown Jr., who was taking part in one of the best soccer of his profession earlier than lacking the final two video games with an injured knee.
The Chargers have allowed the fewest factors within the league, averaging 13.1 per sport, and are going through a staff that has scored not less than 33 factors in 5 video games this season.
One thing’s obtained to present.
As for the Bengals, they don’t play a lot protection. They’re giving up a mean of 26.2 factors, exactly twice as many because the Chargers. On prime of that, they don’t play the run effectively, and Harbaugh makes it a precedence to ascertain the run.
Then-San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, left, greets Ravens coach John Harbaugh after Baltimore’s Tremendous Bowl win. The brothers have cut up the 2 NFL video games in opposition to one another.
(Dave Martin / Related Press)
It’s folly to look too far forward within the NFL as a result of accidents and circumstances can dramatically change the panorama from week to week.
That stated, there’s assured to be loads of buildup when the Chargers play host to Baltimore the next week for the third version of the Harbaugh Bowl between Jim and his brother, John, coach of the Ravens.
They’re 1-1 in opposition to one another with John proudly owning the large prize, a Tremendous Bowl win over Jim’s San Francisco 49ers.
As is the case with the Bengals, these Ravens can rating loads of factors however up to now are an enormous disappointment on protection. Their issues are usually not in stopping the run, however of their high-priced secondary. Not like final season with defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald — now head coach in Seattle — they aren’t fooling anybody with artistic schemes and the like.
The crystal ball is cloudy for each the Rams and Chargers. Every is 2-1 its division with a legit likelihood of reaching the postseason.
The Chargers are higher positioned in the mean time to make the playoffs. The Rams have a historical past of closing sturdy and ending the job when the postseason is inside attain.
These subsequent 4 weeks will inform us lots.
