FINAL: Rams Fall to Chargers 34-17 in Preseason Game 1
The Los Angeles Rams are set to host their L.A. counterparts, the Los Angeles Chargers, inside SoFi Stadium Saturday night in the first of three games this preseason.
It has been a long and eventful offseason for the Rams. After enduring a Super Bowl hangover last season, finishing with a 5-12 record, general manager Les Snead and co. decided it was time for a "roster remodeling."
No, it wasn't termed a "rebuild," as the Rams' goal was to brighten their financial future by shedding the big contracts of their star players from their Super Bowl season, like Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Floyd, while also mutually parting ways with inside linebacker Bobby Wagner after just one season together.
In turn, the Rams accrued the league's most dead-cap hit this season as they turned their attention to building through the NFL Draft rather than splashing the cash in free agency and via blockbuster trades.
Most of that young talent the Rams acquired through this year's draft will be on hand for the game versus the Chargers, as the expectation is for the likes of Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, and other veterans to watch from the sidelines.
Opposite the Rams, the Chargers are also largely expected to rest their stars like quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler, receiver Keenan Allen, edge rusher Khalil Mack, edge rusher Joey Bosa, and safety Derwin James.
In the grand scheme of things, this game doesn't mean much, yet both sides will look to see exactly what they have on the roster before kicking off the regular season.
Stay tuned for more live updates from Rams Digest...
First Quarter
Veteran signal-caller Brett Rypien will start under center for the Rams in place of Stafford.
(0-0) 14:06: After a quick three-and-out from the Chargers, the Rams offense took over at the L.A. 45-yard-line.
Change of Possession
(0-0) 11:30: The Rams picked up just one first down on their first drive with a four-yard Ronnie Rivers run. Yet they couldn't find anything as Chris Rumph II sacked Rypien on a third and eight.
Change of Possession
(0-0) 8:21: Chargers quarterback Easton Stick found rookie receiver Quinton Johnston for a first down and their first third-down conversion. After an incomplete pass intended for Johnston, a false start, and a seven-yard run for Isaiah Spiller, Stick found Donald Parham for a 13-yard gain and a first down.
(3-0) 5:39: Stick couldn't find any of his receivers downfield on third and long, forcing the kicking team onto the field for a 51-yard-kick which Cameron Dicker made.
Chargers 3, Rams 0
Change of Possession
(3-0) 2:55: After a first-down scramble from Rypien which picked up six yards, and a two-yard run from Rivers, the Rams couldn't pick up the first down.
Change of Possession
(3-0) 1:26: Joshua Kelley picked up a first down on a 13-yard run.
Second Quarter
(3-0) 12:36: Stick was brought down by Byron Young for a sack on third down before it was negated due to a facemask penalty on the rookie edge rusher.
(6-0) 11:04: The Rams' defense bent but didn't break, holding the Chargers to a 25-yard field goal.
Chargers 6, Rams 0
Change of Possession
(6-0) 10:09: The Rams were forced to punt after gaining just one-yard.
Change of Possession
(13-0) 9:50: Darius Davis returned the Rams' punt 61 yards for the game's first touchdown.
Chargers 13, Rams 0
Change of Possession
(13-0) 7:27: An illegal contact penalty on the Chargers extended Stetson Bennett's first drive before he almost threw an interception while trying to throw the football away.
(13-0) 4:27: Bennett found Ben Skowronek for a first-down, which put the Rams inside the Chargers' 20-yard line.
(13-0) 2:48: Bennett couldn't find anyone in the endzone for a touchdown despite being on the Chargers' four-yard line. Yet, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Rams another chance after the third-down incompletion. With the second chance, Rivers punched it into the endzone before having it called back due to holding.
(13-7) 1:48: Bennett found Puka Nacua for a touchdown after the penalty.
Chargers 13, Rams 7
Change of Possession
(20-7) 00:17: Stick and the Chargers offense responded with a passing touchdown to Johnston.
Chargers 20, Rams 7
Change of Possession
Third Quarter
(20-7) 12:12: The Rams were forced to punt after Bennett couldn't connect with Tyler Johnson on third down.
Change of Possession
(20-7) 11:49: A 71-yard touchdown run from Spiller was called back due to a holding penalty on second-down. Which was followed by a second-down sack and a third-down stop to get the Rams offense the ball back.
Change of Possession
(20-7) 8:19: After a sack, Bennett found his receiver Johnson for a 32-yard gain and a first-down.
(20-7) 4:48: Following a false start penalty which backed the Rams into a fourth and six, kicker Tanner Brown missed a 46-yard field goal wide left.
Change of Possession
(20-7) 2:48: Keir Thomas and Daniel Hardy combined to sack Max Duggan on third-down forcing a punt from the Chargers.
Change of Possession
(20-14) 0:11: Royce Freeman capped off a seven-play drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
Chargers 20, Rams 14
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
14:01 (27-14): Elijah Dotson found his way into the endzone with a 37-yard run.
Chargers 27, Rams 14
Change of Possession
11:13 (27-17): A third and 10 pass to Lance McCutcheon fell incomplete before Brown came on to make a 39-yard field goal.
Chargers 27, Rams 17
Change of Possession
8:48 (27-17): The Rams' defense got off the field after another three-and-out for the Chargers.
Change of Possession
7:39 (27-17): The Chargers' defense answered back, forcing a three-and-out of their own.
Change of Possession
3:47 (34-17): Dotson ran found the edge of the Rams' defense on a 40-yard rushing touchdown.
Chargers 34, Rams 17
Change of Possession
0:50 (34-17): Two straight sacks for the Chargers forced the Rams to bring on the punt team.
Change of Possession
FINAL: Chargers 34, Rams 17
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