Do Chargers or Rams have a better chance to make the playoffs? Let’s examine …

Do Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers or Sean McVay’s Rams have a better chance to reach the postseason? (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Are the Chargers as good as their 6-3 record suggests?
 
Are the Rams better than the team that muddled through an ugly Monday night loss to Miami?

We’re around the midway point of the NFL season, and both Los Angeles teams are still defining themselves. They are neither really good nor really bad, but the big test comes over the next four weeks.

The Chargers have won three in a row and four of five but there’s nary a winning record among those four teams they beat — Denver, New Orleans, Cleveland and Tennessee — and that foursome is currently a combined 12-26.

You can essentially flip that record for the next four teams the Chargers play: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Atlanta and Kansas City, who are a combined 26-13.

Read more: Rams takeaways: Offense needs more from Kyren Williams, defensive line shows sparks

The Rams, meanwhile, have been so up and down that their fans are seasick. The team followed a 1-4 start by winning three in a row, and looked like a squad no one wanted to face, especially with the stellar receiving tandem of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back and in the flow.

Then the Rams fizzled at home Monday in a 23-15 loss to the Dolphins, who were 2-6 coming into the game. Even more disappointing for the Rams, they had a couple of key offensive linemen back and were starting to feel as if they were gathering momentum.

The Rams play at New England on Sunday — the Patriots aren’t pushovers — then play home against Philadelphia, at New Orleans, and back home against Buffalo. The 7-2 Eagles and 8-2 Bills lead their respective divisions.

Although they’re one of the NFL’s youngest teams, the Rams have some experienced leadership on offense in quarterback Matthew Stafford and Kupp. Plus, their defensive line has shown real promise despite the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald.

What we don’t know is whether…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-rams-better-chance-playoffs-211606570.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-11-13 21:16:06

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