This is the second straight year Los Angeles has been home to two NFL teams. Both the Chargers and Rams reside in Los Angeles, and in the near future will share a billion dollar stadium. Come the beginning of the 2020 season, the Rams and Chargers will play at LA Stadium in Inglewood, California.
As far as this season, both team are experiencing a great amount of success, as they have a combined record of 22-6. It wouldn't be a shocker if the Super Bowl 53 match up was the Los Angeles Rams versus Los Angeles Chargers.
Back in Week 3 when the Rams defeated the Chargers 35-23, many crowned them the kings of Los Angeles. Not to mention, the Rams were the last undefeated team this season, with a record of 8-0. But since then, it has been the Chargers who have been dominating.
After last nights loss to the Eagles, the Rams have lost two out of their last three games. Meanwhile, the Chargers have won 10 out of their last 11 games. Both teams have a record of 11-3, however, the Chargers are tied for the best record in the AFC with Kansas City.
Despite not receiving the national attention the Rams do, the Chargers have shown they're the best team in Los Angeles and here is why.
Don’t look now, but LA is a football town!
The crew discusses why a @RamsNFL vs @Chargers Super Bowl is actually possible. pic.twitter.com/FPeMXFZJQf
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 16, 2018
3. Chargers Are More Talented
Unlike the other top contenders in the league, the Chargers are a complete team. Contenders like the Rams, Saints, Chiefs, and Patriots are driven by high-powered offenses. Teams like the Bears, Cowboys, and Ravens are led by dominant defenses. The Chargers are the only playoff team who ranks top 10 in points allowed and points scored per game.
Before the start of the season, much was made about the offseason moves made by the Rams and how they were building a “dream team” with the acquisitions of Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, and Aqib Talib. Nonetheless, both Suh and Peters are having down seasons, while Talib has missed the majority of the season with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, the Chargers have better defensive personnel than the Rams and an offense just as explosive as the them. Philip Rivers ranks top 10 in both touchdown passes and passer rating this season. In addition, led by Melvin Gordon, the Chargers' rushing attack ranks eighth in total rushing yards, only three spots behind the Rams, who have the best running back in the league in Todd Gurley.
2. Playing Their Best in Big Games
Primetime games are when the best teams and best players play their best. This season, that is exactly what the Chargers have been doing. In their last two primetime games, they have pulled off come from behind wins on the road. First against the Steelers in Week 13 and then in Week 15 versus their nemesis, the Chiefs.
Teams were 0-88 in that scenario before tonight. pic.twitter.com/MXQWRX6K8b
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 14, 2018
In both games, the Chargers trailed by at least two scores in the second half before coming back to win. The Chargers have proven they can win on the road in hostile environments when needed. In comparison, in their biggest games of the season, the Rams have a losing record of 1-3, winning versus the Chiefs, but losing to the Saints, Bears, and Eagles. Even in the win over Kansas City, the Rams gave up over 50 points and barely won at home.
Regardless of their 11-3 record, the Rams have yet to have a signature win this season. Head coach Anthony Lynn and his Chargers have gone on the road versus some of the AFC's best and pulled out hard-fought victories.
1. Playoff Experience
Something that cannot be debated is that the Chargers have more playoff experience than the Rams. Rivers has led Chargers teams in the past to the postseason, even as far as reaching the AFC Championship game. Also, the Chargers have Antonio Gates, who was on those teams with Rivers, who has made deep playoff runs.
Last season when the Rams made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, they hosted the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round. The Rams lost at home to the Falcons in embarrassing fashion. Atlanta managed to come in on the road and hold the Rams' explosive offense to only 13 points.
The Chargers will make the deeper playoff run. Not only because of playoff experience, but because they are more talented than the Rams, and have proven they play their best in big moments.
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