The Chargers spent two weeks self-scouting, re-evaluating, and reflecting on their first six weeks of the season during a bye week that couldn’t have come at a better time. With a league-worst offense and just about everyone on that side of the ball looking like a shell of their old selves, answers were needed and they were needed immediately.
Through the first 28 minutes and 30 or so seconds, the Chargers defense had held Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense to zero total first downs. Despite that, they only led 9-3 when the Rams took over shortly after the two-minute warning following Cameron Dicker’s third field goal of the game.
On the second play of the two-minute drill, Stafford found wide receiver Tutu Atwell for a 40-yard gain after he beat cornerback Tarheeb Still up the left sideline. Three plays later, running back Kyren Williams leaped into the end zone from one yard out to give the Rams a 10-9 lead into the break.
This was the beginning of the end for the Chargers and their hopes of earning their first win of the season.
Justin Herbert and the offense would go on to score zero points in the final 30 minutes of the game and ultimately fell to the Rams 24-9. After having a time of possession and total yardage amount that doubled the Rams’ in the first half, the wheels didn’t just fly off, they completely evaporated into thin air.
Herbert threw two more interceptions to add to his league-high total. He now has 10 interceptions through the first seven games of his season, an unprecedented fact when you compare it to his 2024 campaign in which he threw three over the entire season.
The first came in the opening quarter when he stared down tight end Charlie Kolar on a short out route. Instead of letting it rip just before Kolar made his cut, Herbert waited for Rams safety Quentin Lake to start his drive on the route to let it rip. Lake easily undercut the pass and took it back for 45 yards. That led to the Rams’ first points of the game on a field goal.
His second came in the third quarter when he seeming through it straight to cornerback Trent McDuffie who was doing nothing but sitting in his zone and watching Herbert. At the time Herbert threw the pass, he likely saw Kolar coming across the field from left to right over the middle. Fullback Scott Matlock was in front of Herbert blocking a defender and the end zone angle of the replay showed McDuffie was likely out of Herbert’s view behind the blocking Matlock.
However, that’s not an excuse for yet another blatant mistake. Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who famously became one of the best pure passers in the NFL despite his 6’0 frame, was in the booth calling the game with FOX Sports’ Adam Amin. At 6’6, Herbert should have some of the best field vision possible. That wasn’t the case here and it was yet another nail in a coffin carved for the Chargers’ seventh consecutive loss.
Herbert did throw for a season-high 257 yards, but it was also his second game this season in which he failed to throw a touchdown pass, joining their loss in Week Six where the offense put up a season-low six points.
After that rock-bottom outing, the Chargers chose to retain Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator during their extended break. Despite being the league’s worst offense in EPA/play and overall points per game, Jim Harbaugh showed the football world that he did not expect to have to use a Plan B. He tied himself to McDaniel and vice versa.
McDaniel hoped to lobby this opportunity in Los Angeles with Justin Herbert into his next head coach gig. Instead, he’s turned Herbert into a turnover-machine that can’t stop delivering the ball to the wrong team.
At this rate, McDaniel will be lucky to find himself an analyst job in the NFL.
For a complete recap of Sunday’s loss, check it out below.
First Quarter
The Chargers received the opening kickoff and it nearly went south from the very start. Derius Davis dropped the kickoff and was late to getting up field once he corralled the ball, ending in a short return of nine yards to the 23-yard line.
Justin Herbert and the offense’s first possession of the game was a short three-and-out that ended with a pass deflected at the line on third down.
On the third play of the game for the Rams, Stafford threw an errant pass towards the left sideline but cornerback Tarheeb Still undercut the ball and took it away to give the Chargers possession as the Rams 47-yard line.
Unfortunately, the Chargers offense once again went three-and-out after Mike McDaniel called three consecutive screen passes for a combined -3 yards, the last of which was dropped by Ladd McConkey.
The Chargers defense continued their strong start by forcing a three-and-out by the Rams after pushing them back three yards before the punt. But as they’ve done all year thus far, things went off the rails on their ensuing drive.
On third-and-five, Herbert took the snap and looked towards his cluster of three receivers to his right. Tight end Charlie Kolar ran an out route at the first down line but Rams safety Quentin Lake was in his hip pocket the whole way. Herbert took a short drop and fired directly into the hands of Lake who took the ball 45 yards the other direction.
The Rams ran four plays for eight yards only and the Chargers managed to keep the damage to just field goal.
Herbert and the Chargers responded with a nine-play, 56-yard drive that ended in a 34-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker. The highlight play that helped push the Bolts into field goal range was a 30-yard catch-and-run from Herbert to McConkey. Quentin Johnston also caught a pass for 10 yards on the drive.
Second Quarter
The Rams’ struggles on offense continued with their first drive of the second quarter. Stafford and Co. was once again held to another three-and-out by Chris O’Leary’s defense, including a sack by Tuli Tuipulotu on second down.
McDaniel brought out the trickery early in the second quarter with a fake end-around flea-flicker in which Herbert found Kolar for a gain of 20. That play came right after Herbert linked up with Tre’ Harris for a gain of 15. After the Chargers managed just seven yards on the next three plays, Dicker came on once again and converted from 46 yards out to give his team a 6-3 lead.
Following the fifth consecutive Rams drive where they failed to convert a first down, the Chargers marched down the field once again on an 11-play, 58-yard drive that ended in Dicker’s third field goal of the game which gave the Bolts a 9-3 lead. Johnston grabbed a 21-yard pass on the first play of the drive while tight end Oronde Gadsden II added a 15-yard catch-and-run.
With 1:50 remaining in the first half, the Rams took just two plays to get to the Chargers17-yard line thanks to a a 40-yard pass to Tutu Atwell who beat Tarheeb Still up the left sideline. That play was also the first first down by the Rams against the Chargers.
Running back Kyren Willliam took a handoff and hopped into the end zone untouched from the one to give the Rams their first lead at 10-9. After a lopsided first half yardage-wise in favor of the Chargers, they still somehow trailed at the break.
Right before time ticked off the clock, the Chargers tried a Hail Mary attempt that ended up bouncing off Johnston into the arms of McConkey but the latter got possession short of breaking the goal line.
Third Quarter
The Rams offense found a whole new beat to march to coming out of the half. After finding their groove right before the half, Stafford led his group right back down the field with an eight-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a 23-yard rushing touchdown by Blake Corum. The score extended the Rams’ lead to 16-8 with 10:42 in the quarter.
Herbert and the Chargers offense did not get the same memo coming out of the locker room as they were held to a three-and-out after gaining just five yards after Scott Matlock was called for a false start on the first play. They would end up going three-and-out once more.
The Chargers defense did their job and forced the Rams to punt back to their offense after a quick six-play drive.
On the first third down of the ensuing drive, Herbert found Gadsden for a gain of nine to move the chains. Unfortunately tragedy struck on the very next play as Herbert threw his second interception of the game to cornerback Trent McDuffie who was standing right in front of the intended target in Kolar.
Two plays later, Stafford found Puka Nacua for an 18-yard touchdown to increase the Rams’ lead to 24-9.
Fourth Quarter
After another punt forced by the Chargers defense, the Bolts offense got back to work with a decent drive. They went 57 yards in 10 plays, but stumbled just outside the red zone of the Rams. On first-and-10 from the 26, Herbert scrambled for two yards. He was then sacked on second down for a loss of nine. Third down was a nine-yard pass to Gadsden but that was well short of the line to gain. On fourth down and eight yards to go, Herbert found Gadsden again for what was initially called a first down, but the review called him short by mere inches.
The Rams closed out the game with a 12-play drive that took the final 6:39 off the clock, dropping the Chargers to 0-7 on the season.
Chargers vs. Rams Week 8: How to watch, game time, TV schedule, streaming, and more
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 18: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers evades defensive pressure from the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
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The Chargers are back for their first game following the bye and they’re set to take on the Rams inside SoFi Stadium. However, they’re the “road team” in this one and will wear their all-white uniform combination (my personal favorite!).
As we all came to see, no changes were made during the team’s extended break. Mike McDaniel remains as offensive coordinator and will continue calling plays.
Read Article >
NFL predictions: Chargers face long odds vs. Rams in Week 8
INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: Los Angeles Rams tight end Mark Redman (83) catches the ball for a gain during the NFL preseason game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams on August 27, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Chargers are facing off against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 at SoFi Stadium fresh off the bye.
The Chargers have lost their first six games and are the only winless team left in the league. However, the Chargers can turn things around with a win against the crosstown rival Rams. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Chargers are an underdog by 6.5 points. Let’s take a look at some predictions for the game.
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Los Angeles Chargers news: Chargers-Rams final score predictions
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 18: Justin Herbert #10 stands on the field with Scott Matlock #44 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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Good morning, Chargers fans!
The Chargers are back on the field this weekend which means it’s time to get back to our final score predictions. As we do every Friday, go ahead and drop into the comments to let us know how you see this game shaking out against their crosstown rival!
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Chargers-Rams Game Preview: How does Joe Alt’s return improve the Bolts’ offense?
INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt (76) stands by during a timeout during an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 20, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Bolts are back inside SoFi Stadium this week to face the crosstown Rams.
The Rams are also failing to meet expectations this season with a 3-4 record so far this season. Blockbuster addition Myles Garrett has not played since Week One, but that’s far from their only issue. When it’s all firing, Sean McVay and the Rams are still one of the best teams in the league, so the Chargers need to come as correct a ever (and unfortunately, the next time they do will be the first).
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Chargers-Rams Game Preview: Matthew Stafford leads No. 1 offense despite losing record
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates in the end zone during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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The Rams were lauded as a “superteam” entering the regular season after trading for 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. That idea was only made stronger following Aaron Donald’s exit from retirement to join his former team with a great chance of winning another Super Bowl.
Yet somehow, the Rams are 3-4, including a loss to the the Cardinals at home who, at the time, had just one win themselves.
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