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

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-18 on Friday, Aug. 28, at SoFi Stadium. Ty Simpson led the way with a touchdown pass, while Greg Desrosiers Jr. scored a late two-point conversion for the home side.

Briar Keller

August 29, 20262 min read

preseason football rivalry - illustration, Jake Team LLC
NFLFinal
Los Angeles Rams20
Los Angeles Chargers18

August 28, 2026

Rams Secure Victory in Inglewood

The Los Angeles Rams visited SoFi Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28, to defeat the host Los Angeles Chargers 20-18. The matchup served as a significant test for both rosters, with the Rams improving their record to 3-0 while the Chargers fell to 1-2.

The game featured a back-and-forth scoring exchange that kept the margin tight until the final minutes, highlighting the depth of both squads as they prepared for the upcoming season. With 63,752 fans in attendance, the atmosphere at the stadium reflected the high stakes of the preseason finale for the Rams.

Early Lead and Rams Response

The Chargers struck first in the opening quarter, taking a 7-3 lead after Quentin Johnston caught a 65-yard pass from Justin Herbert. Harrison Mevis had initially opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal for the visitors. However, the Rams responded decisively in the second quarter.

Ty Simpson connected with Brennan Presley for an 11-yard touchdown pass, followed by another 27-yard field goal from Mevis. This sequence allowed the Rams to build a 13-7 lead heading into halftime, demonstrating their ability to control the tempo when needed.

Late-Game Thriller

The third quarter saw the Chargers narrow the gap slightly. Cameron Dicker kicked a 34-yard field goal to make the score 13-10 in favor of the Rams. The fourth quarter proved to be the deciding period.

The Rams extended their lead to 20-10 when Matthew Caldwell found Dean Connors for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers launched a final drive to keep the game alive. Greg Desrosiers Jr. rushed for 34 yards to tie the game at 18-18 with two minutes remaining.

However, the two-point conversion attempt, involving a pass from DJ Uiagalelei to Evan Svoboda, was unsuccessful. This failure to extend the lead sealed the victory for the Rams.

Stat Highlights

Ty Simpson led the Rams with 119 passing yards on 18 of 23 attempts and a touchdown. Dean Connors contributed 69 rushing yards on 18 carries. For the Chargers, DJ Uiagalelei completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards.

Greg Desrosiers Jr. was a standout, rushing for 118 yards on nine carries and scoring a touchdown. Quentin Johnston had a significant reception, catching a 65-yard touchdown pass. The performance underscores the competitive nature of the rivalry, even in the preseason context.

Sources

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

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Briar Keller

Briar Keller covers Saratoga high school and area college sports.

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