Preview: Rams Looking For Leadership vs. Chargers in Preseason Debut

The Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers have two very different goals heading into preseason matchup.

The Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers may play in the same city and stadium, but the similarities end there.

After watching the Rams finish with a 5-12 record last season, a first-time NFL viewer wouldn't guess in a million years that they won the Super Bowl in 2021-22.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are the only Pro Bowlers from the Lombardi Trophy-hoisting season that still remain with the team. The Rams are now full of fresh faces, as two-thirds of the team have two or fewer years of experience in the league.

Rams coach Sean McVay and the coordinators have been pushing for some of the younger players to step up as leaders throughout the offseason, as the Super Bowl trio won't be there forever.

A lot of future Rams leaders will be playing in tonight's preseason opener against the Chargers, as experience against another team could be the jump-starter to the leadership mentality that needs to be unlocked.

The Chargers have practically everything the Rams are hoping to achieve within the next few years: leadership, Pro Bowl-caliber talent, and impactful players young and old.

However, they can't win consistently.

Quarterback Justin Herbert and safety Derwin James led each of their respective sides of the ball to a decent 10-7 record last season but blew a 27-point lead in the Wild Card round to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

When looking at the rest of the roster on paper, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and more, the average NFL fan would expect more wins.

An argument could be made that the Chargers' limited success is caused by division rival Kansas City Chiefs, but they only play them twice per season.

Nevertheless, the Chargers are expected to be one of the better teams in the AFC, but the Chiefs are favored to win the division, leaving three Wild Card spots up for grabs.

The Chargers are going into tonight's preseason game hoping to find rookies and sophomores that can make an impact to advance further in the playoffs this season.

The Rams are going into tonight's preseason game hoping to find leaders that will guide them to wins beyond this season. Obviously, like every team, the Rams' main objective is to win the Super Bowl, but their roster is too inexperienced at this point.

The Rams will face the Chargers tonight at 6 p.m. PT on NFL Network.

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