With both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers performing well below expectations the match up between the two under performing Los Angeles NFL Football teams which share SoFi Stadium doesn’t have the same appeal it would have had if they were playing at the level that was anticipated.
The Rams who were tagged as Super Bowl favorites at one point came into the game with a record of 3-4 record. After getting a road win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week at Allegiant Stadium, the Rams did enough put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season. With the 24-9 win over the Chargers, the Rams improved to 4-4. Even with a number of their first string players sidelined due to injury, the Rams were still the heavy favorites over the winless Los Angeles Charges.
Eight weeks into the 2026-27 NFL season the best way to describe the Chargers season would be disappointing. They were expecting to improve upon last season and be a strong playoff team. However, they anything but a playoff bound team. With a record of 0-6 coming into the game and playing with no confidence, the prediction markets knew the Chargers would fall to 0-7 by the end of the game.
With both teams struggling, a Super Bowl appearance is not likely. The Rams vs Chargers match up was for pride and Los Angeles bragging rights. However, the Rams playoffs hopes are still alive after their 24-9 win over the Chargers and improving to 4-4. The Seattle Seahawks recent loss to the Chicago Bears puts them at 4-4 as well.
The Rams will travel to the Nation’s capital next week to face the Washington Commanders who are led by San Bernardino’s hometown hero Jayden Daniels. Since returning from an elbow injury, Daniels has been performing up to pre-season expectations. The Commanders recently improved to 2-4-1 with a recent win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams’ defense has been keeping them competitive. At times the offense has been getting off to slow starts, not showing up until the second half. The defense has been keeping them in the ball games holding the opposing offense three and outs as much as possible. The recent game against the Chargers was no different.
The Rams got on the board first on a 30 yard field to take a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. However, the Rams defensive back Quentin Lake put the Rams in scoring position after intercepting a Justin Herbert pass and returning 46 yards to the Chargers 18 yard line, putting the Rams offense in the Chargers’ red zone. The offense was only able to get a field goal.
The Rams defense kept the Chargers out of the end zone all game. However, after a number of field goals the Charger took a 9-3 lead late in the second quarter. The Rams were able to get in the end zone with 19 seconds left in first half on a two yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams. The PAT was good and the Rams took a 10-9 lead at halftime.
During the second half the Rams offense came to life. They opened the second half with a scoring drive that was capped by a 24 yard touchdown run Blake Corum. The successful PAT gave the Rams a 17-9 lead. The Rams scored again on a 18 yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua to take a 24-9 lead. The Rams defense held the Chargers scoreless in the second half.
The will attempt to make it three straight wins when they face Commanders next week on the road. Both the Rams and Commanders are in must win situations with playoff hopes on the line. The Rams will still be missing key players due to injury, so the rest of the team will have to step up and fill the void.
