The Rams hold off the Chargers’ late rally, Win 20-18
The Los Angeles Rams #15 Ty Simpson (QB) is about to hand off the football to his running #33 Dean Connors against the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense at SoFi Stadium. This photo is by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 27, 2026.
INGLEWOOD, CA - The Rams survived a fourth-quarter scare from the Chargers on Thursday, escaping SoFi Stadium with a 20-18 win after their defense made just enough stops down the stretch to keep the lead.
Ty Simpson had a great night and looked comfortable, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.
“I thought he [Ty Simpson] was in good command. I thought he made good decisions. I thought he went where the ball was supposed to go,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay.
The Rams forced an early turnover when Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled at the Chargers 14-yard line, and linebacker Nick Anderson recovered it. The Rams offense couldn't punch it in from there and settled for a 3-point field goal from kicker Harrison Mevis.
Los Angeles Chargers #1 Quentin Johnson (WR) receiving a 65 yard touchdown pass from his quarterback Justin Herbert in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams’ secondary. This photo is by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 27, 2026.
The Chargers answered quickly, though. Herbert found Quentin Johnston for a 65-yard touchdown at the 9:41 mark, giving the Chargers a 7-3 lead. A few plays later, Simpson then connected with Dean Conners for a 33-yard gain to move the chains, but the Rams' drive stalled at the goal line and the Chargers defense held firm. The quarter closed with the Chargers up 7-3.
The Rams defense set the tone to open the second quarter, pinning the Chargers deep and stopping them before they could even cross their own 10-yard line, with Anderson making the tackle. The offense capitalized soon after when Simpson hit Brennan Presley for an 11-yard touchdown, putting the Rams back in front, 10-7.
“I kind of had an idea they were going to go man. There was some miscommunication on line with a funky front. BP [Brennan Presley] did a good job of playing football and getting open; and I just tried to get the good player the ball,” Simpson said
The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive players are running down the Los Angeles Chargers’ running back #28 Kimani Vidal, keeping him from gaining a large chunk of yardage at SoFi Stadium. This photo is by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 27, 2026.
The defense kept the pressure on. Darryl Peterson came through with a sack on a Chargers red-zone possession to snuff out another scoring threat, and Mevis added a 27-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-7. The Chargers had one last chance before halftime, lining up for a field goal, but the attempt sailed just wide. The Rams led at the break, 13-7.
Both sides traded blows in a tightly played third quarter. With 2:50 remaining, the Chargers put together a drive that nearly found the end zone on 4th and 8 before settling for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 13-10.
Los Angeles Rams #32 Jordan Waters (RB) is running hard with the football well tuck in his left arm against the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense at SoFi Stadium. This photo is by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1 August 27, 2026.
Late in the quarter, Matthew Caldwell handed off to Jordan Waters, who broke a run down to the Chargers' 23-yard line with under two minutes to go, but the Rams couldn't turn the field position into points. The score held at 13-10 heading into the fourth.
The Rams pulled away early in the fourth when Caldwell found Conners for a touchdown at 14:14, pushing the lead back to double digits, 20-10.
The Chargers didn't go quietly. Gregory Desrosiers scored a touchdown at 12:52 and converted the two-point try, trimming the deficit to 20-18. But the Rams defense closed it out from there, holding on to secure the 20-18 win.