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Rams vs. Chargers final score: Trent McDuffie powers defensive win
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- Rams vs. Chargers final score: Trent McDuffie powers defensive win
The Los Angeles Rams (4-4) beat the Los Angeles Chargers (0-7) by a final score of 24-9 in Week 8 of the NFL season, as Trent McDuffie got his second pick of the season and led a defensive win over L.A. at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers kept this one close for a time as the Rams only led 10-9 at the end of the second quarter, but the other L.A. team showed they are winless for a reason.
The second half was mostly dominated by the Rams in this not so marquee battle for L.A.
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The Rams weren't wholly dominant as their offense struggled for about half the game, the special teams struggled on kickoffs as Joshua Karty earned a couple penalties for failing to kick the ball in the landing zone. Yet, the Rams overcame any errors for a clean win to move to a 4-4 record, and stay afloat in the crowded NFC playoff picture.
The Rams offense failed to convert a first down on their first five offensive drives. L.A.'s offense beginning games sluggishly is a real trend as Sean McVay hasn't seen his team score a touchdown to open a contest all season.
The Rams relied on their defense, and the defense answered the call as the group was as stout as they've been all year by forcing two turnovers (Quentin Lake and Trent McDuffie each had an interception), and the defense held the Chargers to only field goals.
McDuffie and Jaylen Watson were hurt in this game, the severity is not known, but players like Emmanuel Forbes and Josh Wallace stepped up as Chris Shula's unit bought time as McVay tried to figure out the right rhythm for Matthew Stafford and the offense.
By the end of the second quarter, the Rams were starting to find their groove on the ground as Kyren Williams found the endzone right before the half came to a close. In the third quarter, the Rams were able to lean on Blake Corum who added another rushing score on the ground for the Rams.
Williams and Corum combined for over 100 yards on the day as for the second week in a row, L.A.'s ground game worked as both backs scored to help take pressure off of Stafford who threw an early interception, and has struggled in 2026 by comparison to his MVP season in 2025.
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Stafford ended the day with just over 150 passing yards, one passing TD to Puka Nacua, and an interception. He's still the QB1 for L.A. and in L.A., but you have to wonder if the Rams make jump to Ty Simpson in 2027. But that's a problem for 2027.
In 2026, the Rams won in Week 8 over the Chargers, and that's the most important thing. At the same time, if the Rams don't improve, they may not be able to matchup with the best teams in the NFL.
The 4-4 record matches what the team is, inconsistent. A win is still a win though, and the Rams will take this one.
