INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams recovered from a slow start with 21 straight points to beat the “visiting” Los Angeles Chargers 24-9 on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, the building they have shared since 2020.
The Rams won back-to-back games for the first time this season and improved to 4-4, putting them 2 1/2 games behind the San Francisco 49ers and a half-game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. The Chargers fell to 0-7 for the third time in team history and the first time since 2000 – when current coach Jim Harbaugh was on the roster as quarterback – and remain the only winless team in the NFL.
The Rams led 10-9 at halftime despite opening the game with five straight three-and-outs for the first time this century. Their first first down came in the final minute of the first half. Puka Nacua accounted for 80 of Matthew Stafford’s 157 passing yards, and Blake Corum rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Justin Herbert threw two interceptions, giving him a season-high 10, as the Chargers, who were coming off a bye, failed to score a touchdown for the second straight game.
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McDuffie ignites the Rams defense… but leaves injured
The Rams defense entered this game in the top five in the league in yards allowed and in the bottom 10 in sacks and takeaways. The disparity lies in how little they were able to get from their two blockbuster trade acquisitions at premium positions: Edge Rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie.
McDuffie played for the first time in three weeks and played like a star again. He had run stuff, broken screens and a 26-yard interception return to set up the Rams’ dagger touchdown. — before leaving the match due to a back injury.
McDuffie’s presence brings out the most aggressive and creative pressure packages from defensive coordinator Chris Shula. And if he ever manages to play with Garrett, who is still dealing with a knee injury, this defense could go from very solid to potentially scary. — Nate Atkins, Rams beat writer
Rams win doesn’t obscure need for another receiver
It was the first Rams game this century to start with five straight three-and-outs. That included a Stafford interception on the first drive.
That interception seemed to make Stafford shy about throwing to anyone other than Nacua, who naturally saw all the attention the Chargers could send his way. Stafford was content to foul balls and accept punts rather than throw contested passes when his secondary receivers struggled to get separation, outside of a 40-yard catch from Tutu Atwell.
It’s become an ongoing problem without Davante Adams, who will miss at least another month with a hamstring injury. And if something were to happen to Nacua again, the Rams offense would be in big trouble. This is why they need to consider a trade for a wide receiver that Stafford can trust. -Atkins
Did the Chargers offense fix anything during the bye week?
Ladd McConkey was tackled by Scott Matlock. They both play for the Chargers. It was one of three straight missed screen passes called by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who missed a great opportunity with a starting field position in plus territory, another notch for a botched call.
And Herbert won the race for double-digit picks in the NFL, throwing his ninth and tenth of the season. Neither made much sense.
One of them was a pick play intended for tight end Charlie Kolar, who was running a route to the outside, but Rams safety Quentin Lake was on Kolar’s hip the entire time. From a clean pocket, Herbert still targeted Kolar and paid the price. His second interception hit McDuffie in the numbers. Matlock may have hindered his line of sight, but as Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees pointed out on the Fox broadcast, Herbert needed to know that McDuffie was the defender underneath, based on the Cover 2 shell and post-snap confirmation. — Noah Furtado, Chargers beat writer
How could this game affect the Chargers’ plans at the trade deadline?
As Athletics Jonathan Jones has pointed out several times in recent weeks, the Chargers have resisted their spell as a seller. The reality is that further loss should not affect anything. They should move pieces for a draft capital that helps position the franchise for the future, period.
No team came back from 0-5 to make the playoffs. The Chargers are now 0-7.
It would be an organizational mistake to retain players like Khalil Mack (unless he wants to stay), among several other veterans whose contracts are expiring, during a losing season. Start taking these calls seriously, Joe Hortiz. —Furtado
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