Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers – Rams in Super Bowl LIX? Analyst Lays Out How Both LA Teams Make The Big Game

Originally posted on LAFB Network | By Ryan Anderson | Last updated 5/20/24

NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks thinks that both the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams have what it takes to make the big game next February making Super Bowl LIX an all-LA affair in New Orleans. His reasoning?

“When it comes to the two Los Angeles squads,” Brooks writes, “I’m bullish for the same reason: a perfect marriage between the head coach’s offensive vision and the personnel on the roster.”

The Chargers have seen a complete overhaul of the front office, coaching staff, and at many key positions on the roster, save for quarterback. The changes that have been made indicate a Harbaugh-ification of the offense. Adding to the offensive line in the draft and completely rebuilding the running back room points means that offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, will be leaning into running the ball. They also invested heavily in wide receivers, in the draft as well as free agency. Though at the moment don’t have a clear number one option

The Rams have faced changes as well. Sean McVay and offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur rolled out a new look rushing attack last season that utilizes gap scheme blocking. It worked so well with Kyren Williams they added his clone, Blake Corum, in the draft. They also gave generous contracts to their guards, Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson, signaling a prioritization of running the ball. McVay now has a physical running game to pair with his tough wide receivers.

Both team’s efforts have made them two of the more physical offenses in the league. As Brooks puts it;

As proponents of exotic smash-mouth football, Harbaugh and McVay succeed by leaning into an ultra-physical approach that sets the tone for the entire team. While their creative play designs and unique formations dominate headlines, both are old-school thinkers with throwback philosophies that continue to work in a pass-centric league.

How The Rams and Chargers Could Fall Short

Just like how the two teams are similar on offense, they are also similar on defense. According to Brooks the defense is what could hold these squads back from making the Super Bowl.

“Now, the Chargers and Rams will need their defenses to play well enough to keep them in the fight if/when the offenses sputter early in games. “

“While the Bolts have enough established stars on defense (Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James) to keep it together during a mini slump from their offense, the recent retirement of Aaron Donald puts a lot of pressure on a young core of Rams defenders to tilt the field with timely playmaking. With a pair of new defensive coordinators (Jesse Minter and Chris Shula) tasked with crafting schemes to mask their respective units’ deficiencies, the onus falls on Harbaugh and McVay to get their offenses flowing early in contests to dictate game flow.”

This article first appeared on LAFB Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: