Originally published by RamsNewswire.com
In what will be their first regular-season meeting since each team moved into SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams (5-10) and Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) will meet on New Year’s Day in this first-ever Battle for Los Angeles. The Chargers will officially be the home team when the team’s kickoff. Ohio Sports Betting shops have the Chargers as -6.5 point favorites at home, with the over/under set at 41.
The scheduled Sunday Night Football start time initially was 8:20 p.m. ET but has been moved to 4:25 p.m. ET, as with the Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Baltimore Ravens getting the nationally televised spot.
Los Angeles Rams
Already eliminated from the playoff picture and with only meaningless games left on the schedule, the Rams put on a show for their fans on Christmas Day, exploding for 51 points against a Denver Bronco team struggling all season. The Rams were a 3-point underdog heading into the game, which saw Baker Mayfield lead Los Angeles to an easy 51-14 victory.
The Rams never trailed and forced four turnovers, intercepting Denver quarterback Russell Wilson three times, including an 85-yard pick-six by Cobie Durant late in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. It was Los Angeles’ second win in their last three games after losing eight of nine games midseason to fall out of playoff contention. They meet the Seattle Seahawks on the road on January 8th to complete their season.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since the 2018 season with a dominant 20-3 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. Los Angeles’ defense squashed Indianapolis, sacking quarterback Nick Foles seven times and intercepting three balls while allowing a single second-quarter field goal. The Chargers covered the 3.5 spread as favorites and will complete the season with their final home game against the Rams and a road visit to Denver to meet the Broncos.
Head-to-Head History
The Rams and Chargers had played each other 12 times in the regular season, with their first game in 1970 resulting in a 37-10 Rams victory. The most recent matchup was in 2018 when 7.5-point favorite Rams defeated the Chargers 35-23 behind 3-touchdown throws by quarterback Jared Goff and a 105-yard rushing effort by running back Todd Gurley. That game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum the year before SoFi Stadium opened.
The Rams are 7-5 in the series and have outscored the Chargers 325-313 in those 12 games. The Chargers last beat the Rams in 2014 in San Diego when the Rams were based out of St. Louis. The Rams are 3-1 ATS in their last four games against the Chargers.
Sunday Betting Odds and STATS
Spread: Rams +6.5 (-110) Chargers 9-5-1
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