Rams Beat Chargers By One Point in Preseason Battle
In a preseason classic, the Rams beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-22. Stetson Bennett was aided by a strong receiving game and defense in his second preseason start, helping the team come away with the win. His experience showed as he converted on crucial third and fourth downs in the final seconds to steal a victory on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium. In the first half, the defense held the Chargers to field goals, going into halftime trailing 9-6. Backup quarterbacks Bennett and the Chargers' Trey Lance battled it out in the second half, trading impressive throws and keeping the game close. When the game seemed out of reach with 1:28 left in the fourth quarter and the Rams down six, Bennett stepped up and made the right plays down to the wire. Bennett finished his second start with 324 passing yards, completing 70 percent of his passes, going 28-of-40 with one interception.
Key Moments and Stats
Bennett’s poise early: On his first drive, Bennett displayed composure in the pocket, converting on nine plays and going four-for-four for 33 yards. The drive ended with a short touchdown pass to WR Konata Mumpfield. Answering back, Bennett continued his efficient passing into the second half, responding to the Chargers’ first touchdown with a 38-yard strike of his own to WR Mario Williams. Late-game heroics: Despite throwing an interception with 6:42 left that allowed the Chargers to take the lead, Bennett wasn’t finished. With 11 seconds remaining, WR Brennan Presley hauled in a 40-yard catch that set the Rams up at the Chargers’ eight-yard line. On the next play, Bennett fired a dart under pressure to WR Tru Edwards in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. The receivers stood out in a big way. Brennan Presley led with 102 yards on six receptions, while Mario Williams, 46 yards, two receptions, Tru Edwards, 32 yards, three receptions, and Konata Mumpfield, 12 yards, two receptions, each recorded a touchdown.
On Defense and What’s Next
The Rams’ defense set the tone early, holding the Chargers to field goals in the first half. OLB Brennan Jackson led the team with two sacks, while CB Charles Woods broke up a key two-point conversion attempt late in the third quarter. The Chargers didn’t score their first touchdown until the 3:31 mark in the third quarter, and when the offense needed a stop the most in the 4th quarter, the Rams defense delivered, allowing Bennett to take over and close out the game. The Rams will face the Cleveland Browns next on August 23 at 1:00 p.m. EST.
