Tough to stop Rams building on good start in trans-Tinseltown tussle

Sky Sports Action, 9.05pm Sunday

No team looked more impressive in the first two weeks of the season than the Los Angeles Rams.

Enthusiasm for their Super Bowl chances may be tempered by the fact they have beaten Oakland and Arizona, two of the weakest teams in the league, but they are dominating on both sides of ball in such a manner that suggests they deserve to be favourites.

Their Trans-Tinseltown tussle with the Chargers should provide them with stronger opposition but it is no surprise to see them favoured by a converted touchdown.

Admittedly, their opponents bounced back well from their opening-week defeat to Kansas City and their 31-20 win over Buffalo was more convincing than the scoreline suggests - the Chargers were 28-6 up at half-time.

They claimed five sacks against the Bills even without their best defensive player Joey Bosa, who has fallen victim to the injury curse that has been the story of the team's existence since their move from San Diego.

However, despite the fact they have covered the handicap in 16 of the last 20 games for which they were underdogs by 6.5 points or more, they may struggle to keep up with a rampant Rams offence.

Running back Todd Gurley has been a star turn with four touchdowns in the Rams' opening two matches and it seems difficult to imagine they will take their foot off the gas.

They have scored in all four quarters in nine of their last 12 games and even though they surprisingly failed to make their mark in the opening 15 minutes against the Cardinals, bet365's offer of 6-4 about such an eventuality is worth taking.

Recommendation
LA Rams to score in all four quarters
2pts 6-4 bet365

The lowdown

Venue LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Surface Grass
Weather Clear, 26C
Vegas handicap LA Chargers +7
Vegas points line 48

Team news
LA Chargers
Tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Travis Benjamin are rated questionable.

LA Rams
Linebacker Mark Barron is rated doubtful with a ankle injury.

Key stat
The Los Angeles Chargers have covered the handicap in four of their last five away games

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport