It wasn't pretty, but the Los Angeles Rams came away with a 24-9 victory over the Chargers on Sunday. They were outgained by the Chargers and out-possessed by them, too, but the Rams took the ball away twice and figured things out on offense in the second half before it got too late.
Now 4-4 on the year, the Rams are back at .500 after starting 2-4.
There were quite a few standout performers in the win, led by Trent McDuffie and Blake Corum.
Stud: Trent McDuffie
McDuffie returned after a two-game absence, and he didn't miss a beat. He continued to play at an incredibly high level, leading the team with nine tackles, including one for a loss. He picked off Justin Herbert, as well, returning it 26 yards to set up a touchdown for the Rams two plays later. McDuffie left
in the third quarter but he was excellent before exiting.
Stud: Blake Corum
As good as Kyren Williams has been, Corum has looked like the better back the last two weeks. He rushed for 73 yards on only 11 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown that padded the Rams' lead in the third quarter. He routinely made defenders miss, even sending a DB to the turf with a filthy cut during a run in the third quarter where he bounced outside and picked up 13 yards.
Stud: Quentin Lake
Lake was all over the field for the Rams, once again making his presence felt on Sunday. He made seven tackles, picked off one pass and broke up another, reading Herbert like a book on his interception. Lake has had up-and-down games all year, but his performance against the Chargers was certainly a high point. He's such an important player for Los Angeles.
Stud: Omar Speights
Even with Nate Landman back, Speights was a major contributor. He recorded five tackles, one of them going for a loss, and he broke up one pass, as well. He's at his best playing downhill and attacking ball carriers, which is where he excelled against the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. He could improve in coverage, but as a run defender, he's playing really well.
Stud: Puka Nacua
Nacua was barely targeted downfield, catching most of his passes near the line of scrimmage on screens and quick throws. But he still caught 11 of his 12 targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. He's as sure-handed as they come, which is why Matthew Stafford has so much confidence throwing his way, but it would be nice to see the Rams giving him more targets and routes down the field.
Stud: Josaiah Stewart
Stewart had perhaps his best game in Myles Garrett's place on Sunday, recording six tackles, with one sack and two tackles for a loss. According to PFF's early stats, he had three pressures, and he made his presence felt throughout the afternoon on the edge.
Stud: Entire offensive line
The Chargers managed to hit Stafford just twice in the entire game, and one of those was a sack by Tuli Tuipulotu where Stafford simply couldn't find anyone open. The pass proteciton was great and though there weren't a ton of running lanes in the first half, the O-line cleared the way in the second half for Corum and Williams.
Dud: Matthew Stafford
For the second week in a row, Stafford failed to cross 200 yards passing. He had just 157 yards through the air in this one, completing only 17 of his 25 passes – and 11 of those completions went to Nacua. No other player had more than two catches. Stafford's interception early in the game was an ugly one, forcing a ball to Konata Mumpfield, who was clearly not open.
Dud: Konata Mumpfield
Mumpfield was supposed to be the guy to take Davante Adams' place, but he's struggled to fill those enormous shoes. He didn't catch a pass on Sunday and was targeted just two times, having a hard time getting open against the Chargers.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Studs and duds from Rams' Week 8 win vs. Chargers
