Los Angeles Chargers Look to Improve Playoff Seeding vs. Los Angeles Rams in Brandon Staley-Sean McVay Battle of L.A. Clash
COSTA MESA – In the Chargers’ second season with coach Brandon Staley at the helm, the organization has clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2018.
While the Chargers are locked into a Wild Card spot, extra wins in the last two weeks could improve their postseason seeding. They currently hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC, just one game back of the Ravens in the No. 1 slot. 5.
This week, the Chargers will take on their cross-town rival, with whom they share SoFi Stadium in the Rams. Staley will coach against Sean McVay, a mentor he spent the 2020 season with on the Rams’ coaching staff.
The Chargers didn’t practice Wednesday, but Staley fielded a few questions at his press conference discussing his connection to McVay from his time as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together in a little under a year,” Staley said of McVay. “I think the way we look at the game, you’ve met somebody that really, I think, the stars have aligned in that way, philosophically, how you look at the game in terms of offense, defense and kicking, how you lead, how you teach, staff, all that good stuff.
“It’s been an incredible year for both of us. I know we’ve accomplished a lot together. I certainly wouldn’t be here without him. There’s a lifelong friend there. At the same time, we’re great competitors, even though we’re good friends. This game is going to be about competition. I’m excited to take the field on Sunday.”
Staley said he and McVay stay in touch through text messages. Most of their communication comes from aspects of football they see each other using, leading to further discussions.
“If you see something, like after a good game, or maybe it’s great game design or whatever — something he said that stands out — just showing people the respect they deserve,” Staley said of the exchanges. his lyrics with McVay. That’s what Friends are for. That’s kind of the nature of those lyrics.”
Along with McVay two seasons ago, Staley orchestrated the No. 1 ranked defense. 1 with the Rams before taking the Chargers head coaching position.
Since arriving as the Chargers’ main man, Staley’s defense has had its share of ups and downs. But lately, his defensive unit has put together its best three-game stretch of the last two years, holding opponents to 12 points during that stretch.
Through all the struggles the Chargers have faced this season, being one of, if not the most injured teams in the league, they sit with a 9-6 record. It’s just a testament to the coaching staff pushing the right buttons and the players stepping up in the areas they needed the most.
McVay, who has dealt with injuries taking up large chunks of his roster, offered high praise to his former assistant for the job Staley has done on a large number of all the moving parts the Chargers have dealt with. .
“You can see they’ve done a great job of putting themselves in legitimate playoff contention, where they’re great and I think they’re great in crunch time,” McVay said of Staley.
“He does a great job of trying to create a lot of conflict and trying to be the aggressor,” McVay said. “Dictate the terms from his vantage point defensively with the scheme he runs and the mind he has.”
During the Chargers’ three-game winning streak, Staley has touted the cohesive nature with which the defense has played, leading to bigger results. They will look to follow suit against a Rams offense that has undergone a transition at quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who has led the team to a 2-1 record since becoming their new signal-caller.
“I just know, going into a game, that he’s going to have a plan ready for you,” Staley said of McVay and the Rams’ offense. “Week in and week out, he’s going to pour his heart and soul into that plan to give his guys a great chance to win. I think you can see that from the way Baker has played for him since he came in there, in a short amount of time. It’s a really good coaching staff there.”
The Rams, at 5-10, will try to play spoiler in Sunday’s Battle of LA showdown at SoFi Stadium as the Chargers look for their 10th win of the season.
*Get Chargers tickets from SI Tickets by clicking here
Read more from Charger Report:
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of the Charger Report. Follow Nick I tweet @NickCothrel for more charger coverage.
