The Chargers are returning from their bye week and preparing for their game against the Rams on Sunday, November 1, at 1:05 pm PT.
Here are five key things to know about Los Angeles ahead of the Week 8 matchup:
Where things currently stand
Following Week 7, the Rams sit in third place in the NFC West with a 3-4 record. They bounced back from a two-game skid by defeating the Raiders 35-21 on the road.
Prolific passing offense
Led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams boast one of the league's best aerial attacks. Through seven games, Stafford leads the NFL with 1,989 passing yards. In the win over Las Vegas, Stafford threw three touchdowns to become the Rams' all-time passing touchdown leader with 155, making him the only quarterback in league history to hold the career touchdown record for two
different franchises (Lions and Rams).
Good ground game
While Stafford is still slinging it, head coach Sean McVay has recently leaned heavily into an efficient ground game. Against the Raiders, the Rams' backfield exploded for 199 total rushing yards. Kyren Williams (99 yards, 1 TD) and Blake Corum (93 yards, 1 TD) both averaged over 5.0 yards per carry. Los Angeles has compiled 875 rushing yards on 186 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and eight rushing touchdowns this season.
Puka makes up most of the passing game
Wide receiver Davante Adams is expected to miss at least a few weeks with an injury, forcing Puka Nacua to become the focal point of the passing attack. Despite battling a mid-week calf issue in Week 7, Nacua commanded a heavy target share. He has already racked up 45 receptions for 485 yards and two touchdowns in just five games this year.
Dominant defense
The Rams boast one of the NFL's top defenses, ranking third in total defense, allowing just 294.0 yards per game. The secondary is the defense's crown jewel this year. The Rams rank fourth in passing defense, giving up just 186.3 passing yards per game. Los Angeles is still achieving this success despite injuries to key trench players: defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Poona Ford, and edge rusher Myles Garrett.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers Week 8 vs. Rams: 5 things to know
