This NFL season’s playoffs have been one to remember, from once-in-a-century records being broken, unfolding storylines and season-ending heartbreaks.
Here is a recap of our hometown teams, the Chargers and the Rams, who both made the playoffs in the same season for the first time in seven years.
The LA Chargers came into the playoffs with expectations of at least overcoming their first-round matchup against the Houston Texans, who have been on a downward spiral ever since they lost their two star receivers to season-ending injuries.
While the young Chargers, coached by rookie NFL head coach and former college football national champion Jim Harbaugh, had hopes of seeing the second round, their season was ultimately cut short mainly due to unexpected poof offensive play by star quarterback Justin Herbert, who threw four interceptions in their 32-12 loss Jan. 11.
Whether Herbert’s performance was due to a weak receiving room, a solid Texans defense, playoff jitters, or just an off day, they still lost by 20 points.
On the other side of Los Angeles, the Rams overcame their first-round matchup against the Vikings with ease.
The Rams’ defense shined, posting nine sacks – tying an NFL playoff record.
The second round posed a much more threatening opponent from Philadelphia–the Eagles. The Eagles have the number-one ranked defense, second best run game, and best offensive line in the NFL.
With five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter in their game on Jan.19, the Eagles seemed to put away the game with a 78-yard touchdown run by running back Saquon Barkley.
However, despite the snowy weather, quarterback Matthew Stafford brought the Rams back into the game with his stellar poise in the snow.
Only down by six, with the ball in the Eagles’ red zone, on third down and short, the Rams center snapped the ball and moved the wrong way, allowing Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter to record a free sack against Stafford, ultimately ending the Rams’ season.
On a more positive note, it is believed that both of these teams still have either a bright future, or a near Super Bowl window.
For the Chargers, they changed the narrative of having a poor defense to allowing the fewest PPG (17.7) during the regular season after hiring coach Harbaugh last offseason.
Along with their rising rookie star receiver Ladd Mcconkey and former 5th overall draft pick, rising star Joe Alt at offensive line, it seems that, with the right moves in the offseason, Herbert and the Chargers will have hopes of the Super Bowl for their future.
The Rams, on the other hand, have an aging 36 (almost 37) year old Stafford starting for the long run.
While it is expected Stafford continues playing for the Rams, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rappaport, “The future of #Rams QB Matthew Stafford is an open question for Los Angeles.”
Stafford could request a reconstructed contract for his future on the Rams.
Some positive attributes of this team include their young star receiver Puka Nacua, who is undoubtedly top five at the position when healthy; the entirety of the Rams’ defensive line, who were one of the best groups in the second half of the season; and the team’s strength to fight their way from a 1–4 record to the third seed.
Even though our LA franchises were a somewhat disappointment this NFL postseason, football is a sport that changes by the season.
My team, the formerly 4–13 Washington Commanders went from a bottom-of-the-barrel tanking franchise, to Super Bowl contenders in just one offseason after drafting rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
So, if you’re a fan of either of these LA football franchises, keep your hopes up because they’re already in a great spot for success.
