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Rams Edge Chargers 20-18 in Preseason Thriller at SoFi Stadium

Ty Simpson and Dean Connors powered a late surge for the Rams, who defeated the Chargers 20-18 on Friday night to improve to 3-0. Greg Desrosiers Jr. rushed for 118 yards and a two-point conversion for the hosts.

Knox Esparza

August 29, 20262 min read

NFL Preseason Football - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
Los Angeles Rams20
Los Angeles Chargers18

August 28, 2026

Rams Outlast Chargers in Fourth-Quarter Thrill

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-18 on Friday, August 28, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to extend their preseason winning streak to three games. The contest featured a back-and-forth scoring sequence that culminated in a dramatic final drive for the home side, though the Rams held on for the victory.

Attendance at the venue reached 63,752 as the two California rivals met in a high-stakes preseason matchup. The Rams enter this game with a 3-0 record, while the Chargers fall to 1-2 on the season.

Early Lead and Second-Half Momentum

The Rams established an early advantage in the first quarter when Harrison Mevis kicked a 27-yard field goal. However, the Chargers responded quickly with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston, with Cameron Dicker’s kick making the score 7-3 in favor of the visitors.

The second quarter saw the Rams pull away, as Ty Simpson connected with Brennan Presley for an 11-yard touchdown pass, followed by another 27-yard field goal from Mevis. This sequence put the Rams ahead 13-7 at halftime. In the third quarter, Cameron Dicker narrowed the gap with a 34-yard field goal, bringing the Chargers within three points heading into the final period.

Late Surge and Final Stand

The fourth quarter proved decisive, with both teams trading blows. Dean Connors caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Caldwell to extend the Rams’ lead to 20-10. The Chargers mounted a late rally, capped by Greg Desrosiers Jr. rushing 34 yards for a touchdown.

DJ Uiagalelei completed a pass to Evan Svoboda for a two-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 20-18. Despite the late effort, the Rams defended successfully to secure the win. Ty Simpson led the Rams with 119 passing yards on 11-of-18 completion, while Connors rushed for 69 yards on 18 carries.

For the Chargers, Desrosiers Jr. had a standout performance with 118 rushing yards and one touchdown, and DJ Uiagalelei passed for 141 yards. Quentin Johnston also contributed a 65-yard reception and a touchdown. The result leaves the Rams unbeaten in three preseason contests, while the Chargers look to bounce back in their next scheduled appearance.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401873300

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Knox Esparza

Knox Esparza covers Pleasanton high school and area college sports.

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