Los Angeles Rams and Chargers Face Off in Week 8 Crosstown Matchup
The 3-4 Rams host the winless Chargers at SoFi Stadium as both teams battle injuries and roster changes.
The Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium for a Week 8 matchup with kickoff scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. The Rams enter the game with a 3-4 record, while the Chargers are looking for their first win of the season as they sit at 0-6.
Both teams enter the contest dealing with significant roster adjustments and injuries. For the Rams, long snapper Joe Cardona will miss the game due to an ankle injury, and tight end Colby Parkinson is inactive because of a rib issue. Parkinson has been managed throughout the week and did not practice, having dealt with injuries that forced him to leave last week's game multiple times. Additional Rams inactives include Ty Simpson, Bill Murray, Keagen Trost, and Desjuan Johnson.
There is some positive injury news for the Rams, as Trent McDuffie, Coleman Shelton, and Jordan Whittington are active after previously being listed as questionable. McDuffie returns for his first appearance since Week 5, having missed the last two games with a groin injury. Meanwhile, star defensive acquisition Myles Garrett has remained sidelined with a knee issue during the team's up-and-down start to the year.
On the other side, the Chargers come into the game relatively healthy following their bye week, though safety Derwin James was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. The Chargers ruled out Donte Jackson, Rodney Shelley, and Brenen Thompson for Sunday's matchup.
The Chargers have struggled significantly during the first half of the season, fielding the lowest-scoring offense in the NFL and averaging just 15 points per game. Quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown eight interceptions compared to five touchdown passes, while being sacked 21 times behind a banged-up offensive line. Omarion Hampton leads the team on the ground with 289 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
In contrast, the Rams boast the league's top offense in total yards, averaging 399.1 per game, though they score 24.3 points per contest. Quarterback Matthew Stafford leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,989 and directs an offense supported by receiver Puka Nacua alongside running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Prediction markets and analytical models heavily favor the Rams in Sunday's crosstown clash. Projections give the Rams a strong probability to secure a victory, with statistical models pointing toward a double-digit margin. However, both squads will need to navigate their respective health challenges as they take the field at SoFi Stadium.