WEEK 8 Recap: Chargers and Rams
RAMS: The (5-2) Rams will face the (1-6) New York Giants this Sunday at Metlife Stadium. Los Angeles is 3-0 on the road this year and are averaging over 34 points in those victories.
The Rams are tied for first in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks heading into Week 9. Todd Gurley and company enjoyed a Week 8 bye while Russell Wilson willed the Seahawks to a 41-38 victory over Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans.
The Giants are coming off a dire bye last week. They are still licking their wounds after getting beaten up in six of their first seven games. The Giants had four wide receivers injured in one game including their star Odell Beckham Jr, who will likely miss the rest of the season.
Wilson scorched the Giants in the Seahawks’ Week 7 matchup with his three touchdowns and over 330 yards passing. He is starting to look like the Pro Bowl caliber quarterback that NFL fans have grown accustomed over his career.
Todd Gurley has rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games. Each game he has carried the ball over 20 times, the Rams have won and Gurley eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards.
Sean McVay says he has no intentions of reaching out for trades around the league as the deadline looms near. The Rams are one of the best teams in the league and have little reason to shake things up. They are finally experiencing some success and stability with their new coach.
The Rams seem to be clicking on both sides of the ball and will look to keep the good times rolling in the Meadowlands. I predict a 33-13 victory of the Rams. Expect a big day from Gurley and Goff on offense and a stingy performance by the LA defense.
CHARGERS: The (6-2) Patriots defeated the (3-5) Los Angeles Chargers, 21-13, at Gillette Stadium last Sunday. With the win, New England extended their winning streak to four games and ended the Chargers’ three-game winning streak of their own.
Melvin Gordon’s 87-yard touchdown put the Chargers up early in the first quarter to cap off a two-play, 53-second drive. Tom Brady and the boys answered right back with a calculated 14-play, 77-yard drive that concluded with a short touchdown toss to Gronkowski.
Gordon finished his best game of the season with 132 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries, an average of 9.4 yards a carry. It was only the second time he has rushed for over 100 yards all season.
Philip Rivers had a poor outing against the Patriots. Rivers finished with 212 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. He completed 17 of 30 passes and failed to consistently convert on third downs.
Tom Brady completed 32 of 47 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown. He managed to move the ball with the help of his backfield. Patriot running backs, James White and Rex Burkhead combined for 12 receptions and 153 yards against the Chargers.
Stephen Gostkowski made four of his six field goal attempts for the Pats. New England will have a bye next week.
With the Raiders and Broncos also losing this week, the Chargers didn’t lose any ground on second place in the AFC West. Oakland, Denver, and Los Angeles all have three wins this season, but the Broncos have one less loss than both the Chargers and Raiders.
This Sunday Los Angeles will recharge on their bye week and prepare for the Week 10 matchup against Leonard Fournette and the dynamic Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Jags are 4-3 going into the big Week 9 game against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.