Remember when Los Angeles didn’t have an NFL team?
That was as recently as six years ago. Now L.A. has two teams that are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
By contrast, it now feels as if New York City doesn’t have an NFL team.
Los Angeles football — the Rams and Chargers — enters this week with a combined 5-1 record. What represents New York City football — the Giants and Jets — enters the week at 0-6 with nary a winnable game in sight.
The Rams moved back to L.A. from St. Louis in 2016. The Chargers moved north from San Diego in 2017.
The Rams, fresh off ending the 10-game winning streak of the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers last week, are 3-0 entering Sunday’s home game against the Cardinals (3-0).
The Chargers are 2-1 after knocking off the Super Bowl runner-up Chiefs last Sunday in Kansas City, entering their Monday night home game against the Raiders (3-0).
Los Angeles is now overloaded with good football while New York City continues to flounder aimlessly.
Since the Rams moved back to L.A., they’re 50-33 with three playoff appearances, including a loss in the Super Bowl. Since the Chargers moved to L.A., they are 35-32 with one playoff appearance and have the look of a team on the rise with young quarterback Justin Herbert.
Matthew Stafford and Daniel Jones Getty Images, Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Giants, since 2016, are 29-54 with one playoff appearance, a wild-card loss five years ago. The Jets are 23-60 without a sniff at the postseason.
The Rams are 3-0 for the third time in five seasons under coach Sean McVay, and are being led by the rebirth of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was acquired in the offseason from the Lions after spending 12 seasons in Detroit.
They’re becoming football showtime in L.A., with a star-studded fan base that included LeBron James, actor Jason Sudeikis and rapper Dr. Dre in attendance at SoFi Stadium to witness the victory last week over Tom Brady and the Bucs. Stafford threw four TD passes in the 34-24 win, outplaying Brady.
“[Stafford is] playing lights out,” Rams defensive lineman and resident quarterback menace Aaron Donald said. “I know he’s going to continue doing what he’s doing and even at a higher level.”
If that happens, the Rams have as good a chance as any team to reach Super Bowl LVI, which will be played at SoFi Stadium. That would make the Rams the second team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium, one year after the Bucs won last season in Tampa.
“It’s only three games, [we’ve] still got a long season, but obviously that’s the ultimate goal, that’s what we’re chasing,’’ Donald said. “That’s the only thing I’m chasing.”
Justin Herbert Getty ImagesSo, too, are the Chargers, who share SoFi and are high on Herbert, in his second season and getting better every week.
Coach Brandon Staley said after the win over the Chiefs, which was secured when Herbert led the game-winning drive in the final seconds, “We want to put the ball in Justin Herbert’s hand and have him be the decider. We’re fortunate enough to have a gangster quarterback.”
The Chargers’ win was particularly meaningful after losing at home to the Cowboys the previous week.
“You have to win games like this on the road in this league in order to separate yourself,” Chargers safety Derwin James said.
There is exciting football in Los Angeles, with endless possibilities. There is no hope in New York City.







