Rams vs Chargers: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 3...

Rams vs. Chargers: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 3

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams and Chargers will square off on Sunday in the first “Fight for L.A.” regular season matchup. The Rams have owned the battle since the Chargers moved to town last year, both on the field and off it.

However, this is the Chargers’ first chance to set the record straight and prove they’re the better team in sunny L.A. If the Rams want to move to 3-0, they’ll have to win these key matchups, many of which favor them.


Rams CBs vs. Chargers WRs

The Chargers have a solid group of receivers, which will give the Rams their first real challenge of the season. Although they move around the formation from play to play, expect Marcus Peters to draw Mike Williams on the left side, Aqib Talib and Tyrell Williams on the strong side and Keenan Allen being covered by Nickell Robey-Coleman in the slot.

That could change based on how the Rams and Chargers play things, but expect to see plenty of these matchups on Sunday. Talib has to be physical with Mike Williams on the outside to disrupt his timing with Philip Rivers, while Peters has more of a speed threat on the other side.

Allen is obviously Los Angeles’ top wideout, which makes Robey-Coleman so valuable in this game. He’s one of the best slot corners in the game today despite not receiving that sort of recognition.

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Rob Havenstein vs. Melvin Ingram


Ingram is the focal point of the Chargers’ pass rush with Joey Bosa sidelined. He plays both sides of the line, but more often than not, he lines up across from the right tackle. As a premier pass rusher, he’ll be going up against the Rams’ best offensive lineman through two games. Ingram will look to use his speed around the edge to beat Havenstein, but that won’t be easy.

With Ingram being the Chargers’ best edge defender, Havenstein has a tall task on his hands. Ingram is a player who can go off for three sacks in a game, which would be bad news for Jared Goff and the offense.

Goff has been kept relatively clean in the pocket thus far, and it’s why he’s played well in the first two games.

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Cory Littleton vs. Melvin Gordon


Melvin Gordon carved up the Bills last week, but not just on the ground. He caught six passes for 38 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown on nine carries. In total, he had just 66 total yards, but those three touchdowns loomed large. The week before, he was far more impressive, catching nine passes for 102 yards.

Littleton has to contain Gordon both in the running game and when Rivers targets him through the air. He and the rest of the Rams did a great job covering David Johnson a week ago, but now they’ll have to turn their attention to Gordon and even Austin Ekeler.

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Aaron Donald vs. Dan Feeney


The Chargers’ offensive line has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, so there are a bunch of favorable matchups. Ndamukong Suh versus Mike Pouncey, Samson Ebukam versus Sam Tevi, Michael Brockers versus Michael Schofield. The list goes on, but Donald against Feeney might be the most lopsided matchup of them all.

Donald should nab his first sack of the season on Sunday with the shakiness that is the Chargers’ offensive line, so don’t be surprised to see him get to Rivers once or twice. Los Angeles will almost certainly double team Donald on the interior, but that’s tough to do with Suh, Brockers and Ebukam all on the defensive front.

Still, Donald will win this matchup with ease and prove to be his dominant self once again.