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          NFL Nation

          Rams say Philip Rivers brings it with his arm and his mouth

          Rams stars Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh love playing against Chargers QB Philip Rivers, who they say has a talent for talking trash. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images
          • Lindsey Thiry, ESPNSep 21, 2018, 12:00 PM
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              Lindsey Thiry is a national NFL reporter for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2018 to cover the Los Angeles Rams after two years of covering them for the Los Angeles Times, and has also covered the Chargers for ESPN. She previously covered the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow her on Twitter/X @LindseyThiry.

          THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Cornerback Marcus Peters cracked a grin. "I lovvvvve Philip Rivers," he said.

          Across the Los Angeles Rams' locker room, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh smiled, "I love playing against Philip," Suh said.

          Their reason is simple.

          Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback, is a 15-year pro whose penchant for talking across the line of scrimmage is on par with his ability to dissect a defense.

          After posting six consecutive shutout quarters, the Rams, 2-0 for the first time in 17 seasons, will welcome the challenge on Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

          "I love that he's a competitor and he loves to compete," Peters said. "He's going to go out there and make you pull your best out because he's going to come at you."

          Peters knows something about it. The two faced off six times in the AFC West after the Kansas City Chiefs selected Peters in the first round of the 2015 draft.

          Even as Peters proved himself as a ball-hawking playmaker, Rivers never hesitated to challenge him. When asked this week about Rivers throwing to his side of the field, Peters cut off the question, "I catch them though," he said.

          And he certainly has. Peters leads the NFL with 20 interceptions dating to 2015 -- and four of his picks are off passes by Rivers.

          "I have been playing against Philip since I was a rookie," said Peters, who is 6-0 against the veteran quarterback and also has deflected 10 of his throws. "So I kind of know exactly how he's going to hit us where we're not."

          Through two games this season, the Rams have intercepted four passes -- including one returned for a touchdown by Peters, and rank first in fewest points allowed.

          But the defense has also been limited to two sacks as Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford hurried to get the ball off to avoid meeting Suh, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.

          But Rivers likes to let plays develop. He has passed for 680 yards and six touchdowns, with an interception, and has completed 73 percent of his throws for the 1-1 Chargers.

          Rams defenders are hopeful that Rivers will hold the ball and continue to look for his playmakers downfield Sunday.

          "Hopefully we get some time to get to him," said Donald, who sacked Rivers once when the teams last played in 2014. "And if we get to him, take him down."

          Suh, a nine-year pro, has faced Rivers four times and has one sack.

          "I love playing against Philip," Suh said. "He's a character on the field, off the field spent some time with him, Pro Bowls and what not, obviously a great competitor and really just one of those guys that you enjoy playing against. He's fiery, he's going to try to make a bunch of plays on you, so we'll have fun."

          As for Rivers' trash talking, Suh said he didn't plan on any of his own. But against Rivers, he knows that plans can change.

          "I talk with my pads," Suh said. "I'm not much of a talker, but every now and then Philip has gotten me out of character, and we've exchanged words every now and then, but all in fun."