divisional

Last season, the Rams advanced to the NFC divisional round before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Chargers open the season with three consecutive divisional matchups, something that hasn’t happened for them since 1988.

It’s one of eight divisional matchups in Week 1, with another being the Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs squaring off Friday night in São Paulo, Brazil.

Then came the divisional round in Philadelphia, a game nearly stolen from the eventual Super Bowl champs but for two plays and 13 yards.

And soon afterward, if Manfred’s vision comes to fruition, geographical realignment would follow, and the Southern California Freeway Series could become just another series between divisional rivals.