These are always fun, right? Two teams who play in the same city - same stadium, in fact - squaring up. And though one is an AFC team and another is an NFC team at very different spots in their division, there are still some bragging rights involved here, right? No one wants to be the little brother.
The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot more to prove than being the little brother in L.A., however. They have yet to win a single game this season. With the Rams, Texans, and Ravens on deck, that first one might not be particularly easy to come by either. If you are new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, the seat has steadily grown hotter and hotter.
The Los Angeles Rams are not quite where they want to be either. They find themselves in third place in a tough division behind the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. With a 3-4 record, they sit only one game ahead of the 2-5 Cardinals for last in the division. They’re playing without their dependable touchdown guy, Davante Adams, as well, so they will need others to step up.
🏅 Chargers vs. Rams Expert Pick: Game Total Over 45.5 (-115 on DraftKings)
The NFL season is insanely hectic. That’s why teams complain about the Thursday games or international games - a normal week is hard enough to get healthy and prepare for. That’s why the bye weeks are a much-needed oasis for these teams. And not just to get players healthy - though that obviously helps.
The Los Angeles Chargers have been working their way through the installation of a new offense. Mike McDaniel’s scheme uses a fullback, it has a lot of pre-snap motion, and it involves a lot of timing. This scheme has been successful not only for him in the past but for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers as well as Klint Kubiak, who just won the Super Bowl. I’m actually not fully giving up on what Justin Herbert can potentially accomplish with a firm grasp on it.
So I do think the Chargers come out of the bye week here making a little noise, possibly mixing in a few wrinkles. The problem is, I don’t think the Chargers defense can stop what Matthew Stafford and the Rams do. So I do think the Chargers can push back enough against a tough defense to hit the over here, but I’m going to stop short of picking the Chargers to actually cover or win this game - even though I think it’s possible.
👀 How To Watch Chargers vs. Rams NFL Week 8
- Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
- When: 4:05 PM ET on 11/1
- Watch on TV: FOX
- Where to stream: NFL+
🔢 Chargers vs. Rams Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
- Point Spread: Los Angeles Chargers +6.5 (-102) vs. Los Angeles Rams -6.5 (-118)
- Money Line: Los Angeles Chargers +225 vs. Los Angeles Rams -278
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 45.5 (-105) vs. Under 45.5 (-115)
🏉 Chargers vs. Rams Injury Report & Latest News
Many of us (myself included) thought the Chargers were a dark horse Super Bowl team. So it’s a bit jarring to see them as the only winless team in the league. Herbert has been pretty bad, but he’s also had plenty of injuries along the way to hurt his chances. Multiple receivers are dealing with questionable designations heading into the week: Ladd McConkey, Brenen Thompson, and Tre Harris are all listed as questionable alongside cornerbacks Rodney Shelley and Donte Jackson, so the Chargers’ depth at several positions is thinner than ever. Running back Omarion Hampton’s lack of production has been a big topic in fantasy football circles as Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal continue to mix in.
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a dominant 35-21 win over the Raiders in Week 7, with Matthew Stafford going 23 of 29 for three touchdowns and Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combining for 192 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. Stafford has been sharp all season, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,989 yards and 14 touchdowns. With Davante Adams sidelined with a hamstring issue, they are relying more heavily on Puka Nacua and the tight ends than ever. Trent McDuffie (groin) and Nate Landman (concussion) are both listed as questionable, while Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford are all on injured reserve, thinning out the defensive front. Even so, the Rams are a heavy favorite in what shapes up as a critical home game to stay relevant in the NFC West.
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