Rams win LA derby as Chargers fall to 0-7

In a rare home game for both teams, the Los Angeles Rams hosted the cross-town rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers travelled across the city still searching for their first win of the campaign, having fallen to 0-6 through their opening seven weeks.

Their opponents had endured an inconsistent start of their own, but entered the afternoon looking to build on the previous week’s victory and move back towards a .500 record. With the Rams sitting at 3-4 and the Chargers desperate to get their season underway, there was plenty to play for.

The opening exchanges offered little to suggest the Rams would handle the contest with ease. Matthew Stafford’s first drive ended in an interception by Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still, who read the quarterback’s pass and made the most of the opportunity. However, they were unable to capitalise, with the offense quickly going 3-and-out.

The Rams’ defense soon returned the favour. Quentin Lake intercepted Justin Herbert and returned the ball 46 yards, giving the home side an excellent opportunity to open the scoring. Although the drive failed to produce a touchdown, Brandon McManus converted a 30-yard field goal to put the Rams ahead 3-0.

The Chargers responded through Cameron Dicker, who levelled the contest with a 34-yard field goal late in the first quarter. Dicker then added another from 46 yards early in the second, putting the visitors in front for the first time as their defense continued to frustrate Stafford and the Rams’ offense.

Both teams struggled to find any rhythm throughout the opening half, failing to register a first down on its first five offensive possessions. The Chargers appeared increasingly comfortable, and Dicker’s third field goal of the afternoon, this time from 41 yards, extended their advantage to 9-3 with less than two minutes remaining before halftime.

However, the Rams finally found some momentum when it mattered most. A 40-yard connection between Stafford and Tutu Atwell provided the breakthrough, moving the home side into scoring territory. Kyren Williams then finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, giving the Rams a narrow 10-9 lead with just 19 seconds left in the half.

Having struggled for much of the opening two quarters, the Rams carried that momentum into the second half. Blake Corum became increasingly influential on the opening possession after the break, taking five carries for 55 yards during the drive. His contribution was capped by a superb 23-yard touchdown run, extending his side’s advantage to 17-9 and leaving the Chargers with a significant challenge.

The home side then delivered another decisive blow through its defense. Trent McDuffie intercepted Herbert’s pass intended for tight end Charlie Kolar, returning the ball 26 yards to the Chargers’ 22-yard line. Stafford needed just two plays to take advantage, finding Puka Nacua on an 18-yard screen pass. Nacua followed his blockers and powered into the end zone, completing a dominant third quarter and stretching the lead to 24-9.

The Chargers struggled to find an answer when they needed one, with Herbert unable to guide his offense into the end zone. Their best opportunity to get back into the contest arrived in the fourth quarter, when they advanced to the Rams’ 24-yard line. However, a 4th down completion to Orande Gadsden fell short of the line to gain, handing possession back to the home side.

Neither team managed to add to the scoreboard during the final period, as the Rams comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 24-9 victory. The result marked their second consecutive win, taking them to 4-4, while the Chargers slipped to 0-7 after another frustrating afternoon, continuing a disastrous 2026 campaign.

Touchdowns
Los Angeles Chargers: N/A
Los Angeles Rams: Nacua, Williams, Corum

Top Performers
Los Angeles Chargers: McConkey, Dicker, Still
Los Angeles Rams: Nacua, Corum, McDuffie, Lake, Stewart

Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers: N/A
Los Angeles Rams: Watson (shoulder)

Crowd: 73,621 @ SoFi Stadium