The Los Angeles Rams are back to .500 after delivering a 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Several pivotal key moments ultimately separated the two teams, swinging momentum firmly in the Rams’ favor and helping Los Angeles secure a convincing victory. The Rams dominated the Battle of Los Angeles after its first touchdown, even shutting out the Chargers in the second half.
Here are five key plays that helped the Rams dominate the Chargers and get back to .500.
1. Tutu Atwell hauls in 40 yard pass during two minute drill
Many Rams fans have
criticized the pick and play of Tutu Atwell. But sometimes you can’t measure a player by the box score. Such is the case for Tutu Atwell. He opens up a lot of throwing lanes in the intermediate because of his deep threat ability.
Against the Chargers, we finally got to see that big play ability as Atwell hauled in a 40 yard pass from Stafford. It was the longest play of the game up to that point and it kickstarted the Rams offense that had struggled in its first four drives.
2. Chargers hail mary comes up 1/2 yard short before halftime
The Rams were able to get into the endzone with just :19 left in the 2nd quarter. But Joshua Karty’s botched knuckleball kickoff gave the Chargers the ball at their own 40 yard line. After one play and a second down spike to stop the clock, Herbert dialed up a hail mary attempt. Ladd McConkey actually hauled in the deep ball from Herbert after a deflection but he didn’t secure possession until he was a 1/2 yard outside of the goal line. The Rams caught a huge break and the play could have swung momentum in the Bolts favor had it been a touchdown. Instead it was Rams 10-9 going into halftime.
3. Blake Corum caps off scoring drive with rushing touchdown
Coming out of halftime, Sean McVay finally committed to the running game that worked in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Blake Corum showed off his twitchiness on a few runs including this one…
He then made this nice cutback on 1st & 10 at the Chargers 23 yard line to give the Rams an 8 point lead in the early 3rd quarter.
4. Trent McDuffie picks off Justin Herbert in 3rd Quarter
Anytime you can create turnovers, you are giving the offense more opportunities. Trent McDuffie’s late third quarter interception gave Stafford and Co. the ball back to add onto their lead. The McDuffie interception set up an 18 yard Puka Nacua touchdown. Scoring points off turnovers makes those turnover plays even more significant.
5. Chargers can’t convert on 4th down (after replay assist)
Up by two possessions, the Chargers put together a long drive midway in the 4th quarter. On 4th & 8, the Chargers had no choice but to go for it with only 6:42 remaining. Josh Wallace was able to bring down Orande Gadsden just shy of the first down marker. The initial call on the field was a first down but for the first time all year, the Rams got replay assist to help them!!!
