Are Rams, Chargers playoff threats? Facing best teams in AFC could prove telltale
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Are Rams, Chargers playoff threats? Facing best teams in AFC could prove telltale

LA Times  

It’s going to be a yardstick Sunday for Los Angeles NFL teams. Whereas Detroit and Philadelphia are the dominant teams in the NFC, it’s extremely likely that either Kansas City or Buffalo will wind up with the AFC’s top seed. “It’s a good feeling, and this one feels a little bit different, this early in the season, we’ve still got five games left,” Allen told reporters. “But at the same time, we’re chasing the one seed, we understand that, we know that, and we’ve got to keep getting better each and every week.” Meanwhile, Kansas City has had plenty of nervous moments during the last month, with their last three wins coming by a combined seven points. “Playing Kansas City is awesome, especially late in the year,” said quarterback Philip Rivers, who had lots of memorable games there during his 17-year career, including his last game as a Charger.

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History of this topic

Chargers-Broncos game could decide playoff opponents, a scary prospect
1 week ago

Chargers-Broncos game could decide playoff opponents, a scary prospect

LA Times  

The Chargers need to follow the lead of coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert against the Broncos. With just their second losing streak of the season, the Chargers face a critical AFC West game against the Denver Broncos that could decide each team’s playoff seeding. “Everything we want is still in front of us,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. …

NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Bills, Eagles peaking, plus worst-case scenarios
2 weeks, 6 days ago

NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Bills, Eagles peaking, plus worst-case scenarios

New York Times  

The Week 14 NFL Power Rankings don’t want to be a downer, but since we did best-case scenarios last week, it’s only fair to consider the worst-case scenarios for all 32 teams. Up next: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. Buffalo Bills Last week: 3 Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 35-10 Worst-case scenario: Derrick Henry going wild in the playoffs …

News Analysis: Rams’ path to playoffs: Analysis of NFC West race for the division crown
3 weeks, 6 days ago

News Analysis: Rams’ path to playoffs: Analysis of NFC West race for the division crown

LA Times  

Coach Sean McVay congratulates players as they come off the field after the Rams scored a touchdown against Philadelphia on Sunday. The Rams made the playoffs five times in coach Sean McVay’s first seven seasons, qualifying three times by winning the NFC West and twice when finishing second. With six games left, including division matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, …

Rams once again fall flat in prime time with a chance to move into a tie atop the NFC West
4 weeks ago

Rams once again fall flat in prime time with a chance to move into a tie atop the NFC West

Associated Press  

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — For the second time in three weeks, the Los Angeles Rams went into a game knowing a win would move them into a tie for the NFC West lead, only to struggle mightily on the prime-time stage. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley ran for 255 yards, the most the Rams have allowed to a running back, but it was …

Do Chargers or Rams have a better chance to make the playoffs? Let’s examine ...
1 month, 1 week ago

Do Chargers or Rams have a better chance to make the playoffs? Let’s examine ...

LA Times  

Do Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers or Sean McVay’s Rams have a better chance to reach the postseason? On Sunday night, the Chargers play host to the Bengals and quarterback Joe Burrow, who has the hottest hand this side of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Then-San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, left, greets Ravens coach John Harbaugh after Baltimore’s Super Bowl win. That said, …

Rams’ urgency ahead of Raiders game: Only four 1-5 NFL teams have made playoffs
2 months ago

Rams’ urgency ahead of Raiders game: Only four 1-5 NFL teams have made playoffs

LA Times  

Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepts a pass intended for the Rams’ Tutu Atwell in Week 5, when L.A. fell to 1-4. Nobody just said, ‘Oh well, the season’s over with.’ “It was more like, ‘This is an opportunity for us to come back from adversity.’” As positive as the Rams’ attitude might be, there is no escaping reality. “It would …

NFL playoffs schedule, TV and streaming options for wild-card weekend: Full bracket
11 months, 2 weeks ago

NFL playoffs schedule, TV and streaming options for wild-card weekend: Full bracket

New York Times  

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford will return to Detroit for a wild-card round matchup against his former team in primetime, with the Lions quarterbacked by Jared Goff, a former Ram. Here’s a look at how it all shakes out: NFC matchups The Green Bay Packers snagged the final wild-card berth by beating the Chicago Bears for the 10th consecutive …

Rams roundtable: Will 49ers sit their starters? Playoff date ahead in Detroit?
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Rams roundtable: Will 49ers sit their starters? Playoff date ahead in Detroit?

LA Times  

Rams coach Sean McVay must consider the circumstances of their season finale against the 49ers. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, NFL columnist Sam Farmer and columnist Dylan Hernández discuss what happened and upcoming prospects: Matthew Stafford aside, who do you think has made the biggest difference on the improving Rams’ offense this season — running back Kyren …

Rams' miracle journey proves they're Super Bowl contenders
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Rams' miracle journey proves they're Super Bowl contenders

LA Times  

Turnovers and missed opportunties worried coach Sean McVay before the Rams emerged victorious against the Giants. Rams Rams clinch playoff berth but performance vs. Giants raises worrying questions The Rams know they made mistakes in their 26-25 win over the New York Giants, but the players praise the team’s ability to “find a way to win.” Just one year removed …

Rams clinch playoff berth but performance vs. Giants raises worrying questions
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Rams clinch playoff berth but performance vs. Giants raises worrying questions

LA Times  

Rams running back Kyren Williams runs for a touchdown against the Giants. “We’re never going to take for granted being able to get wins,” McVay said, “And there was also a lot of things we tried to do to not win this game. “I’m not ignorant that we need to fix some stuff,” he said, “but with all the mistakes …

Payton’s curious calls again haunt Broncos as they’re all but eliminated from AFC playoff race
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Payton’s curious calls again haunt Broncos as they’re all but eliminated from AFC playoff race

Associated Press  

DENVER — Bill Belichick seemed content to take the game into overtime, but Sean Payton wanted another crack in regulation, so he called a pair of timeouts that ultimately helped the New England Patriots all but torpedo the Denver Broncos’ playoff plans with a 26-23 stunner at frigid Empower Field on Christmas Eve. “Our margin of error isn’t what we …

Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs still in AFC West driver’s seat despite so many blunders, butterfingers
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs still in AFC West driver’s seat despite so many blunders, butterfingers

Associated Press  

The AFC West title was ripe to get wrested from the Kansas City Chiefs this season, yet their division rivals dug themselves into big holes once again. Mahomes’ receivers have been butterfingers all season, which should have jeopardized their status as the AFC West’s biggest bully if only: — The Broncos hadn’t lost at home to underdogs led by the …

What we learned in NFL Week 15: Beware the Ravens and Bills, trouble in Pittsburgh and more
1 year ago

What we learned in NFL Week 15: Beware the Ravens and Bills, trouble in Pittsburgh and more

New York Times  

In Orchard Park, N.Y., the Bills put the rest of the AFC on notice. Here’s all that stood out from Week 15, and an updated look at the playoff picture in the AFC and NFC: Ravens stay in front in AFC Somehow, it seems, the Ravens have flown under the radar this season, overshadowed in their own conference by Miami’s …

Rams keep surprising: Could a ‘surreal’ playoff showdown vs. Lions happen?
1 year ago

Rams keep surprising: Could a ‘surreal’ playoff showdown vs. Lions happen?

LA Times  

All around the Rams locker room Sunday evening, players were stretched out on contoured beds, their legs encased in compression sleeves. He’s still a Lions legend, so much so that when Los Angeles was in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, there were people in the Motor City sporting Detroit Rams T-shirts. Rams-Lions would be the tentative matchup …

Rams move into an NFC playoff spot after victory over Commanders
1 year ago

Rams move into an NFC playoff spot after victory over Commanders

LA Times  

The Rams are going to the playoffs — at least for the moment. “I’m not surprised, but the story isn’t written yet,” coach Sean McVay said when asked about the preseason narrative and where the Rams now sit. “Win next week, and the next one, and then the last one … and get in the dance.” Rams tight end Tyler …

NFL roundtable: Rams prove they can battle for playoffs even after loss; not Chargers
1 year ago

NFL roundtable: Rams prove they can battle for playoffs even after loss; not Chargers

LA Times  

The Rams gave the AFC powerhouse Ravens quite a battle before losing in overtime on a punt return. The Chargers’ lost quarterback Justin Herbert to a broken index finger on his throwing hand and the game to the Broncos, virtually ending all hopes of reaching the postseason despite being alive mathematically. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, Chargers …

NFL roundtable: How Rams can make playoffs; Broncos familiar faces a Chargers worry?
1 year ago

NFL roundtable: How Rams can make playoffs; Broncos familiar faces a Chargers worry?

LA Times  

The attention given to stop Aaron Donald, shown tackling Browns back Jerome Ford, helps the play of the rest of the Rams’ front seven. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, Chargers beat writer Jeff Miller, NFL columnist Sam Farmer and columnist Helene Elliott discuss what happened and upcoming prospects: What is more surprising, that “banged up” Puka Nacua …

Look who’s in playoff hunt after Rams’ Week 13 win over the Browns
1 year ago

Look who’s in playoff hunt after Rams’ Week 13 win over the Browns

LA Times  

The Rams’ Puka Nacua breaks into the secondary against the Cleveland Browns for a 70-yard touchdown. “You’ve got to prove it every week,” Stafford, who passed for three touchdowns, said when asked if it felt as if the Rams were in the midst of a playoff push. “We’re just worried about the next ‘W’ right now,” said rookie nose tackle …

NFL Week 13 takeaways: Is defense Lions’ fatal flaw? Are 49ers now Super Bowl favorites?
1 year ago

NFL Week 13 takeaways: Is defense Lions’ fatal flaw? Are 49ers now Super Bowl favorites?

New York Times  

Cover 7 | Sunday A daily NFL destination that provides in-depth analysis of football’s biggest stories. Still, bleeding points to a team that has struggled to score like New Orleans has to make you wonder how they’re going to fare against the NFC elite come playoff time. But does the way Detroit’s defense played today and in recent games, worry …

Analysis: AFC’s race for the No. 1 seed is tight with 4 division leaders earning Week 12 wins
1 year ago

Analysis: AFC’s race for the No. 1 seed is tight with 4 division leaders earning Week 12 wins

Associated Press  

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. “When you have a short week and you’re playing a team like the Raiders, who always plays you tough, you have to bounce right back,” Mahomes said. A week after drops by Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson cost them a win against the Eagles, it was important …

Worth repeating: Rams’ first winning streak since 2022 has them in playoff picture
1 year ago

Worth repeating: Rams’ first winning streak since 2022 has them in playoff picture

LA Times  

Sean McVay’s Rams are 4-1 in the NFC West so far, having swept the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. But by defeating the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams achieved back-to-back victories for the first time since September of the 2022 season, when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons and the Cardinals. “It’s definitely a little bit different …

Chargers-Jets a prime-time example of playoff race desperation in the AFC
1 year, 1 month ago

Chargers-Jets a prime-time example of playoff race desperation in the AFC

LA Times  

Justin Herbert led the Chargers to a 34-28 victory over the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium in 2020. Come on, it’s “Monday Night Football.” “Same as playing in L.A., 1 o’clock in the afternoon.” But it’s New York! “It’s a football stadium.” OK, for the record, it’s New York-adjacent, MetLife Stadium sitting in New Jersey and serving as the …

NFL roundtable: Can Rams make run behind offense? Impending Chargers doom in K.C.?
1 year, 2 months ago

NFL roundtable: Can Rams make run behind offense? Impending Chargers doom in K.C.?

LA Times  

The Rams remembered in the second half that they were permitted to run the ball and rallied to beat the Arizona Cardinals, 26-9. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, NFL columnist Sam Farmer, Chargers beat writer Jeff Miller and columnist Dylan Hernandez discuss what happened and upcoming prospects: Kyren Williams has made a bigger impact than many expected, …

Roundtable: Can the Rams surprise again vs. the 49ers? Will the Chargers’ defense rebound?
1 year, 3 months ago

Roundtable: Can the Rams surprise again vs. the 49ers? Will the Chargers’ defense rebound?

LA Times  

According to the betting lines, the Rams pulled an upset in Week 1 of the NFL season with a road win over the Seahawks in Seattle. Rams beat writer Gary Klein, Chargers beat writer Jeff Miller, and columnists Helene Elliott and Dylan Hernández discuss what happened and upcoming prospects: What was the most surprising aspect of the Rams’ upset victory …

Fantasy plays: Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers all strong bets to take Super Bowl 58
1 year, 3 months ago

Fantasy plays: Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers all strong bets to take Super Bowl 58

Associated Press  

The NFL regular season is almost here. The reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs enter the new season as the Super Bowl favorite — that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Last year, the Chiefs rolled to their third Super Bowl appearance in the Mahomes-Reid era, going 14-3 in the regular season and then taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars …

Chargers enter playoffs against Jaguars with cloud hanging over franchise
1 year, 11 months ago

Chargers enter playoffs against Jaguars with cloud hanging over franchise

LA Times  

Chargers coach Brandon Staley has been under scrutiny for his handling of the roster. The way the Chargers handled playing time against the Broncos — most starters played at least through the end of the third quarter — left coach Brandon Staley answering questions about the organization’s methods. You gotta go for it all when you get the chance.” The …

Joey Bosa and Chargers focus on the little things, not big picture, before Broncos game
1 year, 11 months ago

Joey Bosa and Chargers focus on the little things, not big picture, before Broncos game

LA Times  

Joey Bosa and the Chargers have had their sights set on more than making the playoffs this season. Chargers Chargers vs. Denver Broncos matchups, how to watch and prediction If the Baltimore Ravens win earlier Sunday, the Chargers must prevail at Denver to claim the AFC’s No. Without James, defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill said he believes the rest of the …

NFL playoff picture after Week 16: Chargers, Justin Herbert clinch postseason berth
2 years ago

NFL playoff picture after Week 16: Chargers, Justin Herbert clinch postseason berth

New York Times  

With Week 16 in the books, only half of the wild-card spots remain up for grabs — two in the NFC and one in the AFC. Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Raiders Odds: To make playoffs: 100 percent | To earn bye: 35.7 percent | To win Super Bowl: 12.8 percent GO DEEPER Mahomes improves MVP chances in Chiefs win …

NFL playoff picture after Week 13: Bills hold top AFC seed after Chiefs loss
2 years ago

NFL playoff picture after Week 13: Bills hold top AFC seed after Chiefs loss

New York Times  

Week 13 has featured statement wins by the 49ers and Bengals, another Vikings victory and even a tie. — Joe Rexrode December 4, 2022 Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Chargers, vs. Texans, vs. Cowboys, at Jaguars Odds: To make playoffs: 97.2 percent | To earn bye: 0.6 percent | To win Super Bowl: 4.2 percent Cincinnati Bengals A 27-24 win …

Depleted Chargers clash with Falcons in struggle against mediocrity
2 years, 1 month ago

Depleted Chargers clash with Falcons in struggle against mediocrity

LA Times  

Running back Austin Ekeler says the verdict could be coming for the Chargers, who have struggled with injuries and inconsistent results this season while playing the easiest schedule in the NFL. I’m not sure if anyone knows right now.” In this most so-so of NFL seasons — entering Sunday, only 13 of the league’s 32 teams had winning records — …

NFL roundtable: Rams prove they could fumble Super Bowl chances
2 years, 10 months ago

NFL roundtable: Rams prove they could fumble Super Bowl chances

LA Times  

The Rams’ dream to play in the Super Bowl on their home field is alive, needing a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game to qualify for Super Bowl LVI. Plaschke: Even more odd than the Rams’ refusal to use Sony Michel is the great Gary Klein’s usage of a song from “Toy Story” to explain …

NFL roundtable: Rams’ perplexing inconsistency makes handicapping playoffs difficult
2 years, 11 months ago

NFL roundtable: Rams’ perplexing inconsistency makes handicapping playoffs difficult

LA Times  

Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp lunges for the end zone but comes up short as he is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Dontae Johnson during the first half of the Rams’ loss Sunday. Rams beat writer Gary Klein, NFL writer Sam Farmer, columnist Bill Plaschke and staff writer Mike DiGiovanna discuss their prospects in a roundtable chat: Now …

For Chargers to rise in AFC West, Kansas City is their chief concern
3 years, 3 months ago

For Chargers to rise in AFC West, Kansas City is their chief concern

LA Times  

Kansas City has won the last five AFC West titles and appeared in consecutive Super Bowls and three conference championship games in a row. Before Kansas City assumed control, Denver won the AFC West five consecutive seasons, making the division one of the most predictable in the NFL over the last decade. The division also includes Las Vegas, home of …

Rams get better of division rivals, toppling Seahawks 30-20
3 years, 11 months ago

Rams get better of division rivals, toppling Seahawks 30-20

Associated Press  

SEATTLE — Quietly, Aaron Donald, Jared Goff and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams seethed. They watched less than two weeks ago as the Seattle Seahawks loudly celebrated a division title the Rams felt they gave away. “Two weeks ago you saw them smoking cigars and getting all excited about beating us, and winning the division, and we were …

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