Host Ava Brand, Nelson Espinal, and Cameron Kiszla open the show debating which Week 1 loss was uglier: the Chargers' home opener flop to Arizona is judged worse than the Rams' road loss in Australia, since SF is a legit contender while the Cardinals are a rebuilding team. The panel discusses the Rams' Defensive Options given the delayed season starts for Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. Plus, the crew breaks down the huge wins for USC and UCLA in the Big Ten Brief.
Host Ava Brand, Nelson Espinal, and Cameron Kiszla open the show debating which Week 1 loss was uglier: the Chargers' home opener flop to Arizona is judged worse than the Rams' road loss in Australia, since SF is a legit contender while the Cardinals are a rebuilding team. The panel discusses the Rams' Defensive Options given the delayed season starts for Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. Plus, the crew breaks down the huge wins for USC and UCLA in the Big Ten Brief.
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Myles Garrett is headed to IR for knee surgery (out 4+ games); Aaron Donald's status for Monday Night vs. the Giants is uncertain. Byron Young is named the guy to watch to anchor the Rams' D-line in their absence. Nelson questions the Rams' medical evaluation process after the Garrett situation and predicts a cautious, staggered return for Donald (possibly week 3 or 4), with LA reinstalling more advanced defensive concepts gradually.
Rams' brutal upcoming stretch previewed: New York Giants coming up on Monday, September 21st at home, followed by Denver Broncos at primetime on Sunday, September 27th in the mile high city. Then the Philadelphia Eagles in Pennsylvania on Sunday, October 4th, then the Buffalo Bills on Monday October 12th at home. The panel predicts a realistic 2-3 record, with Aaron Donald likely not returning until the Philadelphia game given Denver's altitude.
Chargers injury update: Ladd McConkey (rib) day-to-day after leading the team in Week 1. Jim Harbaugh admits regret over not playing starters more in the preseason. "Believe it or leave it" segment on Justin Herbert — Nelson believes, Cameron leans toward leaving it given seven years without a playoff win. Has the NFL preseason has become meaningless? Ava suggests televising joint practices as a more useful/entertaining alternative, and speculate about an expanded 18-week season.
Coaches Changing are causing issues in LA — Do the Rams miss ex-Offensive Coordinator Mike LaFleur more than the Chargers miss ex-DC Jesse Minter? The panel consensus lands on Minter given the Chargers' lack of defensive pressure (0 sacks, only 1 TFL vs. Arizona) and thin schemed talent.
Chargers face the "must-win" Raiders in Week 2, with LA holding the second-hardest schedule in the NFL and record-low net rest days.
Big Ten Brief: USC climbs to No. 12 in the AP Poll behind freshman receivers Trent Mosley and Ced Hardy... (Dixon Wyatt); UCLA gets first-place votes after a 2-0 start under Bob Chesney's more disciplined program, though Nico Iamaleava's passing game remains a question mark.
Are USC's freshman WRs Trent Mosley and Dixon Wyatt the best duo in College Football? Nelson wants to see it against ranked competition before anointing them, while Cameron and Ava are already sold given their big-play ability and contested catches.