Rams end winless streak in LA derby
Los Angeles Rams defeated the winless Chargers 24-9 at SoFi Stadium, snapping a difficult start to their season.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
The Los Angeles Rams secured a 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The win marks the Rams' first back-to-back victories this season and improves their record to 4-4. The Chargers, now 0-7, remain the only winless team in the National Football League.
Matthew Stafford passed for 157 yards and one touchdown for the Rams. Blake Corum and Kyren Williams each rushed for touchdowns. Puka Nacua caught 11 passes for 80 yards and a score. The Rams won two of the three previous Los Angeles derbies since both franchises moved to the city a decade ago.
The Rams struggled in the opening drives, gaining only 24 yards on their first 15 plays. They failed to reach a first down on their first five drives, a first for head coach Sean McVay in his career. The team trailed 9-3 until a 40-yard pass to Tutu Atwell set up their first first down of the game.
Kyren Williams ran for the game's first touchdown with 19 seconds left in the first half. He waltzed into the end zone untouched. In the third quarter, Corum added a 23-yard rushing touchdown. Nacua followed with an 18-yard receiving touchdown late in the same quarter after a screen pass.
Justin Herbert passed for 257 yards for the Chargers but threw two interceptions. He has thrown at least one interception in all seven games this season. The Chargers' offense recorded 295 total yards, showing some improvement under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel retained play-calling duties despite the team's winless start.
The Chargers' defense could not contain the Rams' rushing attack. Corum finished with 73 rushing yards. The Chargers extended their worst start to a season since 2000. They returned from a bye week to face the Rams, who were missing injured wide receiver Davante Adams.
Quentin Lake returned an interception 45 yards to set up the Rams' opening field goal. Herbert's short pass was picked off early in the game. The Chargers' running game struggled, prompting McDaniel to call back-to-back successful flea-flickers to move the chains in the second quarter.
Injury reports showed mixed results for both teams. Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley injured his shoulder in the first quarter but returned to the game. Safety Derwin James, dealing with a hamstring injury, missed his fourth straight game and was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson injured his shoulder early in the second half and did not return. He had missed a game last month with a dislocated shoulder. Safety Trent McDuffie injured his back in the second half while returning from a two-game absence with a groin injury. He remained on the sideline wearing his helmet during the final minutes.
The Chargers host the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Rams travel to Washington for their next game on Sunday.
