Chargers and Rams both eying .500 records; San Diego Chargers vs. St. Louis Rams preview
The Chargers have proven that you can’t win games on talent alone. If it were possible, the Chargers would be 5-0 right now. Some questionable play-calling and mental mistakes have San Diego at 2-3 with two divisional losses. The Rams meanwhile have proven
that you can win games if you’re not that talented with hard work and playing smart. Despite being miles behind the Chargers talent-wise, they are at the same record.
In this match-up, expect the Chargers’ offence to challenge the inexperienced Rams. Philip Rivers should have another big day throwing the ball, as he will have his starting left tackle back in Marcus McNeill. McNeill’s holdout ended a couple of weeks ago when
he signed his restricted free agent tender and reported to the Chargers. The Chargers just rewarded him with the long-term deal he was seeking and he’ll be a huge boost to an already potent Charger offence.
Rivers will look to Antonio Gates as usual, but now Malcolm Floyd has shown his ability coming off a game with over 200 receiving yards. Rivers has dominated defences and has been able to spread the ball around well.
The Chargers have found Mike Tolbert to be a great power runner who can eat up the tough yards. At the same time they occasionally turn to the rookie Ryan Mathews and use Darren Sproles on screens as well. The offence is solid all the way through and the Rams
will have their hands full.
The Rams defence has been up and down this season. After a great start, the Detroit Lions annihilated the Rams 44-6 last week. Shaun Hill was able to pick them apart and with a more talented offence in San Diego coming to town, the Rams have to pick things
up fast.
Sam Bradford has shown some great signs this season as a rookie quarterback and is showing why the Rams selected him first overall and have invested $50 million in him. He’s shown tremendous poise for a young quarterback but now he’ll have a test that many
rookies struggle with. He’ll have to show that he can bounce back after a bad game and he’ll have to out-duel a star quarterback who appears to be on his way to an MVP season.
Things get tougher for Bradford now because he has lost his number one receiver Mark Clayton for the season. After a disappointing start to his career in Baltimore, Clayton was starting to show his potential with the Rams but a torn patella ended his season.
That means the Rams will turn to Steven Jackson who already has 398 yards this season on 98 carries.
The Chargers defence will have to step up. They’re actually second in the league in total yards allowed, but special teams meltdowns have cost the Chargers in all three of their losses. First it was Dexter McCluster for the Chiefs, Leon Washington for the Seahawks
hen two blocked punts by the Raiders cost San Diego. If their special teams problems are not sorted out fast, they will suffer. For this game though, the Chargers’ talent should prevail if they just play smart and avoid turnovers.
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