The Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams continue to play games this weekend that have playoff implications.  Last weekend they played games that will determine their position in the playoffs and this weekend the stakes are higher.

With playoff implications at stake, the 7-6 Chargers travel to 7-6 Kansas City on Saturday at 5:25 and the 9-4 Rams visit 8-5 Seattle on Sunday at 1.

Both games will go a long way in determining first place and home field advantage — if the teams make the playoffs.

After this weekend, the Rams and Chargers have two games left.

The Chargers continued their remarkable turnaround last week after starting the season 0-4.

Coach Anthony Lynn said during the losing streak that he viewed the season just like a game divided into four quarters.

That is the way Lynn looked at the Chargers season.

The first quarter the Chargers made a lot of mistakes and lost close games.

In the second and third quarters they reduced mistakes and won.

They started the fourth quarter of the season with a 30-13 win over the Washington Redskins last Sunday at the StubHub Center in Carson.

The Chargers put together a complete game on special teams, offense and defense.  Quarterback Phillip Rivers and the defense starred. Rivers completed 18 of 31 for 319 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rams hope to get back on the winning track in Seattle after losing to the Eagles, 43-35. The score was 37-35 with one second to play.

“They made more plays than we did in the end,” said Coach Sean McVay. “This was a great learning opportunity. A handful of things happened that we will learn from.

“Against the Eagles, there are things you can’t do. We have to take care of the football.”

Despite the loss, McVay still has confidence. “I trust the character of this team,” he said. “I trust our guys will respond the right way when we play Seattle.”

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com