The first month of the NFL season is in the books, and the two Los Angeles teams find themselves sporting identical 2-2 records. However, the Chargers and Rams took different routes to get to their .500 records.
The Rams looked dominant in their season opener on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, but they followed that up with losses against the San Francisco 49ers and at the Cincinnati Bengals. Last weekend, they nearly squandered a 23-point lead against the Indianapolis Colts before rallying to win the road game in overtime.
Meanwhile, the Chargers playoff chances took a hit with losses against the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans that were decided in the final minutes to start the season. Since then, though, they’ve rallied with wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders to pull back to even.
In the NFC West, the Rams find themselves in third place, trailing the Seahawks by a game and the 49ers by two. The Chargers are alone in second place, a game behind the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Season Results of NFL Teams Starting 2-2
Both teams have playoff aspirations, but both have challenging schedules ahead that could derail those hopes. BetCalifornia.com wanted to know how much their 2-2 starts hinder their chances. Utilizing Champs or Chumps, we looked at how teams ended up the rest of the NFL season after starting their season with a 2-2 record since 2012. There have been 110 teams that have started 2-2 in the last 10 years. What do the Chargers and Rams playoff chances look like now?
Only 40% of the teams that start 2-2 have made the playoffs since 2012. However, since the AFC South has all of its teams at that mark, it means one of them – at least – will make it. While it’s still early, the Texans posting 20- and 24-point wins in consecutive weeks is enough to win over a fan base that’s watched their team struggle to an 11-38-1 record over the previous three seasons.
The Texans' schedule also sets up well for a postseason berth. Their NFC games are against the NFC South teams and the Arizona Cardinals. Besides a rematch against the Jaguars, which is at home on Nov. 26, the toughest games remaining on the schedule appear to be at Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 12, at the New York Jets on Dec. 10 and a Christmas Eve home game versus the Cleveland Browns. All three of those teams right now have either backup quarterbacks playing or a starter who is less than 100%.
Rams & Chargers Postseason Chances In Play
Both squads could see their playoff chances enhance or dwindle over the coming weeks. The next five weeks for the Rams include games against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and road games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in back-to-back weeks. After their bye, the Rams will face a Seahawks team eager to avenge their season-opening loss. Also, should it matter, the Rams end the season at San Francisco, which has staked a claim on being the league’s best team this season.
The Chargers are off this week but get a Monday night game at home against the Cowboys and a game the following week at Kansas City. The Chargers also have games against the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and a second game against the Chiefs on their docket. Looking at the futures boards at several sportsbooks, oddsmakers have more confidence in the Chargers making the playoffs than their SoFi Stadium roommates.
There aren't any California sportsbook apps yet, but nationally, DraftKings offers -105(Yes) /-115 (No) on the Chargers, compared to +215/-270 on the Rams. The odds are similar at FanDuel, where it offers even money on the Chargers making the playoffs and -122 for them to miss. The odds are +220/-280 for the Rams. Unfortunately, California Sports betting is not yet legal, but keep visiting BetCalifornia.com for the latest news and analysis on your favorite teams and news regarding the push to allow online wagering in California.
