With the show-stopping performances of the LA Rams, the other Los Angeles team, the Chargers, have flown under the radar. In fact, the Chargers attendance at StubHub center is by far the worst in the NFL, averaging about 25,000 fans per game. That number is more than twice as low as the next worst team, the Bengals, who average 52k a game. The Rams meanwhile, average about 72,000 fans per game, good for 10th in the league. They currently are a game back on division rivals and Super Bowl favorite Kansas City Chiefs, but nobody seems to be talking about them because they don't play as flashy or exciting as their neighbors. In fact,
As of now, the Chargers stand at 7-3 and are at the very least a lock for the 5th seed. If the Chargers had beaten the Broncos last week, they would be tied with the Chiefs, and still might win the division if they can win in the next matchup they have with KC, which is on December 20, at 8:20.
Another reason why the Chargers have gone mostly unnoticed is because of their assumed old school, ground and pound type of play. Nobody really wants to watch a boring game in which Melvin Gordon gets 25 carries and Phillip Rivers only throws check downs. However, they actually do not play like this. Gordon has established himself as one of the premier running backs in this league. He has already cleared 1000 scrimmage yards on the year and might hit 2,000 at the end of the year. Pass-catching back Austin Ekeler has complimented Gordon very nicely and is on pace for nearly 1000 scrimmage yards himself.
Meanwhile, one of the most underrated quarterbacks of our generation, Phillip Rivers, has been quietly filling up the stat sheets. He has 2860 passing yards compared to just 6 picks, and as thrown for 23 touchdowns already. His connection with Keenan Allen has been stellar once again, as Allen already has 770 receiving yards. This season, Rivers finally has a chance to prove himself as a hall of fame worthy quarterback, especially because the Chargers have finally found a kicker who can kick. Mike "Money Badger" Badgley has given the Chargers the special teams boost they so desperately have needed for seasons.
With a wild-card spot all but secured, the Los Angeles Chargers must play well down the stretch to perhaps compete for not only the division title but maybe even home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
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