Rams can't afford to beat themselves against the winless Chargers

The Los Angeles Rams' Week 8 home game against the Chargers may have more implications for the trade deadline than the playoffs. But the contest will also force the Horns to address something they have failed to do so far this season.

Namely, the team has to stop shooting itself in the foot.

Head coach Sean McVay has mentioned this bad habit more than once this season, but the Rams have struggled to actually eliminate it. In seven games, they have turned the football over 11 times. Only six teams have committed more turnovers.

Complicating the matter is the fact that LA has only generated six takeaways. Only four teams have fewer.

The Rams are also struggling to stay disciplined. They are tied for the 10th-most-penalties entering Week 8. Of course, many of them were poor calls, while others erased huge plays off the board. But success must overcome penalties, and right now, LA needs every advantage it can muster.

Play calling can go a long way to getting the Rams back on track

The Rams' problems are complicated and complex. They had to survive a scheduling gauntlet that forced players to travel halfway across the globe and back again to open the season. Then they were featured in an unprecedented number of prime-time games against elite competition. After a so-called soft spot in the middle of the schedule, the prime-time pace picks back up following the Week 11 bye.

Until last week, the Rams had leaned heavily on the passing attack. Defenses were well prepared. LA remains among the league leaders in passing yards, but touchdowns are less frequent than fans would like. The Rams are tied for fourth in interceptions thrown.

Turns out they can run the ball, after all, and did so with amazing effect in a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Hopefully this offense remains committed to the run game. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are simply too effective to sit on the bench when the team needs the offense to step up.

With considerably less than the anticipated glitz and glam, Week 8 will decide the battle for Los Angeles. The 3-4 Rams should be able to defeat the winless Chargers, but they'll have to stop beating themselves in the process.

As always, thanks for reading.

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