By Tim Peterson
(Inglewood) – Austin Ekeler rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns and Justin Herbert threw for two scores to lead the Chargers to a 31-10 win over the Rams Sunday in the battle for LA before 70, 240 fans at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams scored first on a field goal but the Chargers outscored the Rams 31-3 the rest of the way.
Matt Gay kicked a 23-yard field on the Rams second possession of the game for an early 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Chargers answered with a drive of their own going 75 yards on 5 plays. Ekeler scored on a 10-yard run with 13:40 left in the second quarter for 7-3 Chargers lead.
On the next possession Ekeler broke a tackle and then broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run to extend the Chargers lead to 14-3 with 8:25 left in the second quarter.
The Rams responded with a 75-yard March with Malcolm Brown running the last 23 yards for a touchdown to cap the 7-play drive as the Rams cut the lead to 14-10 with 4:09 left in the second quarter.
Cameron Dicker “The Kicker” booted a 40 yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Chargers a 17-10 lead at halftime.
The Chargers opened the third quarter with another 75-yard touchdown drive. Herbert hit Gerald Everett with a six-yard touchdown strike to make it a 14-point game.
The Chargers took the 24-10 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Chargers put together a 9-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by a three-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Donald Parham Jr. early in the fourth quarter. The Chargers were firmly in control leading 31-10.
The Rams offense never got going and the Chargers cruised to the 21-point win.
Herbert finished 21 of 28 for 212 yards and the two scores without an interception to compliment Ekeler’s ground attack. Mike Williams hauled in seven catches for 94 yards and Keenan Allen had five for 60.
For the Rams Baker Mayfield completed 11 of 19 for 132 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Van Jefferson caught three passes 77 yads. Cam Akers rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries.
The Chargers, who have already clinched a playoff spot, improved to 10-6 while the Rams fell to 5-11 and are looking forward to next season.
The atmosphere at a Chargers game is DULL. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……………………
Great photo of the one-handed catch! Go Chargers!