The Rams come from behind to beat the Chargers in a thrilling nail-biter 23-22

Los Angeles Rams #13 Stetson Bennett IV (QB) attempting a pass downfield to an open receiver against the Los Angeles Chargers’ secondary. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 16, 2025.

INGLEWOOD, CA - The Los Angeles Rams’ defense did its job, and the offensive line gave Stetson Bennett IV all the protection he needed with 19 seconds left in the game to cap off a 48-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tru Edwards to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-22 and gave Aubrey Pleasant the head coach for the game plenty to be proud off.

The offensive line did a great job protecting Bennett, allowing him to complete 28 of his 40 passes for 324 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. In the video below Coach Pleasant gave some praises to the Rams organization foe his opportunity, and the great job the offensive line did to give them the chance to come from behind to win the game.

The running attack for the Rams was led by Jarquez Hunter, 15 carries for 55 yards, and Cody Schrader, 13 carries for 48 yards. Brennan Presley led the Rams in receptions, 6 catches for 102 yards; Mario Williams had 2 catches for 46 yards, one touchdown; Tru Edwards had three catches for 32 yards, one touchdown, and Konata Mumpfield had two catches for 12 yards and one touchdown.

Justin Herbert (QB) and the Los Angeles Chargers started their first series by driving 59 yards on 9 plays. They took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after Cameron Dicker kicked a 31-yard field goal. Herbert would finish the first quarter, completing 2 of his 5 passes for 46 yards.

The Rams responded to the Chargers' opening drive. Stetson Bennett IV (QB) marched their offense 60 yards on 9 plays and threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield. The extra point by Joshua Karty was good, giving the Rams a 7-3 lead.

The Chargers, with Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, missed a golden opportunity inside the red zone in the second quarter, had a false start on their right tackle David Sharpe on 3rd and eight at the Rams’ eight yard line, and a sack on Heinicke by the Rams’ Brennan Jackson (OLB) at the Rams' 21-yard line, had to settle for a 39-yard field goal by Dicker after going 47 yards on 12 plays, trailing 7-6. Heinicke completed 6 of his 11 passes for 56 yards.

Los Angeles Chargers #9 Tre Harris (WR) 34 yard reception at the Los Angeles Rams 1-yard line. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 16, 2025.

Trey Lance at quarterback came in with about 1:15 left in the game, and threw a 37-yard pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith to the Rams’ eight-yard line for first and goal. Lance’s pass attempt on 3rd and goal to his tight end, Oronde Gadsden, was broken up in the end zone by the Rams’ safety Tanner Ingle, and would take the lead at halftime, 9-7, with a 31-yard field goal by Dicker.

The Rams would regain the lead in the third quarter, 10-9, with a 38-yard field goal by Karty. That lead didn’t last for long as the Chargers regained the lead 15-10 after Lance connected with his wide receiver Tre’ Harris for 34 yards to the Rams’ 1-yard line, and their running back Raheim Sanders scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

The Rams would bounce back from the Chargers’ touchdown run by Sanders, and would lead at the end of the third quarter 17 15 after Bennett threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Mario Williams (WR), after going 82 yards on 6 plays.

Los Angeles Rams #81 Brennan Presley (WR) catching a 40 yard pass from his quarterback Stetson Bennett IV at the Los Angeles Chargers’ 8-yard line. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 16, 2025.

The Chargers fans had plenty to cheer about in the fourth quarter with an electric 66-yard punt return by Luke Grimm to take the lead back 22-17 with 12:36 left in the game. Thanks to the Rams’ defense, they would get one more chance to win the game, and they didn’t disappoint.

With 19 seconds left in the game, Bennett, with great protection from his offensive line, threw a 40-yard pass to Brennan Presley to the Chargers’ 8-yard line and called a timeout with five seconds left in the game.

Los Angeles Rams #82 Tru Edwards (WR) 8-yard game winning touchdown reception to help beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-22 at SoFi Stadium. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 16, 2025.

After the timeout, Bennett, in the shotgun, threw a bullet to Tru Edwards for an 8-yard touchdown, and the Rams’ fans went crazy after the two-point conversion was no good, and walked away with a thrilling 23-22 preseason victory.

Lance led the Chargers in passing by completing 7 of his 15 passes for 121 yards, and Tre Harris, their leading receiver, had 6 catches for 85 yards.

The Rams will hit the road for their last preseason game to take on the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, August 23 at 10 am.