LA Chargers (0-6) AT LA Rams (3-4)
When: Sunday 1:25 pm
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV: Fox-11 (Los Angeles), FOX-5 (San Diego), Fox Sports app
Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: Latino Mix 103.9/89.3 FM
Line: Rams by -6.5
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: OL Kayode Awosika (fibula), S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), WR Brenen Thompson (quad), DB Deane Leonard (concussion) Questionable: CB Donte Jackson (hamstring), CB Rodney Shelley (hamstring)
Rams: Doubtful: LS Joe Cardona (ankle). Questionable: CB Trent McDuffie (groin)
What's at stake?
For the Chargers: Who knows, honestly? The offense is a mess, and even though Jim Harbaugh promised a full evaluation, what is really going to change? The Chargers are averaging a league-worst 15 points per game this season. That is horrendously bad, especially when they have Justin Herbert at quarterback.
For the Rams: They sit third in the NFC West, and after the recent trades made by the Seahawks and 49ers, they are falling further behind in the division. Luckily for them, they are close to getting Myles Garrett back and are facing a winless Chargers team. A victory Sunday would get them back to .500.
Who's better?
Rams. It isn't even close, especially when it comes to coaching. The Chargers are a mess everywhere except on defense, and that unit has managed to hold its own without safety Derwin James, who has missed numerous games with a hamstring injury.
Matchup to watch
Chargers O-line vs. Rams D-line. Joe Alt returns to the lineup, which should provide a much-needed boost, but the rest of the offensive line still needs help. Protecting Herbert has been a season-long struggle, and that could continue even with Alt back. The Rams are missing some players themselves, but with Aaron Donald and Braden Fiske up front, they could cause plenty of problems.
Chargers win if...
At this point, who knows? They haven't won a game yet, and looking at how the schedule is shaping up, it might be a while before they get their first victory. The Jets might be their next realistic opportunity, but the way the Chargers have played up to this point hasn't inspired much confidence.
Fantasy sleeper
Ladd McConkey. He returns from a concussion and should be one of Herbert's primary targets. Expect him to have a big game.
Prediction
After the bye week, it's back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Rams 23, Chargers 22