The Rams host the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend in a pivotal Week 3 contest. Here’s how the Bolts can pull out a win.
The Los Angeles Chargers, by most measurements and statistics, appear to have no reason to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in a Week 3 showdown. The latter team is stacked at almost all positions, playing at home, and have a creative coach who will find ways to win.
Do the Chargers have any shot of upsetting their cross-town rivals in this one? I say absolutely.
If they’re going to do it, the Bolts need to play a perfect game. Here’s how they can upset the Rams in Week 3, and a few reasons why they can move to 2-1.
Unleash the 2018 rookie class
This is the best rookie draft class in Tom Telesco’s six years with the team. And they’re only improving. Kyzir White is all over the field and making diving interceptions, Uchenna Nwosu is hitting both quarterbacks and running backs when (finally) given the chance, and Derwin James is the early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. That’s not including the potential impact of Justin Jones, who I believe will have a huge role to play against the Rams this week.
The coaching staff gave White, Nwosu and James more opportunities this week, and they rewarded them with 16 total tackles, two sacks, three tackles for a loss, four passes defended, one interception and two more quarterback hits. James, in particular, was a monster on defense, absolutely crushing ball carriers in space and flying through the line to get after Josh Allen.
Without Joey Bosa, Nwosu and James were called on much more against the Bills, and rewarded Bradley’s faith with multiple sacks and quarterback pressures. The duo needs to remain productive, particularly Nwosu, in order to get to Jared Goff.
The Rams haven’t faced true adversity this season
The Rams deserve all the credit for finishing games strong and annihilating teams on the score board. However, there is something to be said about the lack of difficult opponents they’ve faced, having beaten two (now) 0-2 teams with severely depleted rosters.
Everyone’s picking them as the favorite (oddsmakers have them as seven-point favorites), they’re loved by every analyst, and they have no reason to believe they’ll fall to the Chargers this week. And that’s where the Bolts light them up.
If the Chargers can start fast and not go three-and-out, as they have done on their last two game-opening drives, they can put Goff in a position to beat the defense, and not Gurley. I believe the defense has a much better shot of stopping Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp than (sorry Gordon) the best running back in football right now.
Put the pressure on a team that hasn’t had pressure yet. Follow the game plan that put the Atlanta Falcons in a position to win a surprisingly easy game against the then-Super Bowl favorite Rams.