The Los Angeles Rams kept things competitive in the first half against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers, but they were overmatched in the final two quarters. That’s not exactly surprising considering how much healthier and more talented the Chargers are right now.
Buy Rams TicketsThe Rams lost, 31-10, despite a terrific game from Cam Akers at running back, dropping their record to 5-11 with just one game left. Baker Mayfield struggled with his accuracy and pocket awareness, and the defense got gashed by the Chargers’ running game – with a dash of Mike Williams magic on the outside.
The only thing left for the Rams to do is play spoiler against the Seahawks in Week 18 in Seattle.
Final score: Chargers 31, Rams 10
Game notes
- Chandler Brewer stepped in as the starting right guard, replacing Oday Aboushi in his first game back from injured reserve. He played well, helping create some big holes on the interior of the offensive line.
- The Rams allowed their first 100-yard rusher of the season, giving up 122 yards to Austin Ekeler. He had 102 yards on six carries in the first half alone, gashing the Rams defense for a 72-yard touchdown run.
- A pair of former Rams had an impact on this game for the Chargers. Morgan Fox recorded a sack on Baker Mayfield and Gerald Everett scored a touchdown in the third quarter. Both players followed Brandon Staley to the Chargers as free agents this offseason after spending 2021 with the Panthers and Seahawks, respectively.
- Cam Akers looks like the 2020 version of himself, which is great news for the Rams. He topped 100 yards rushing for the second straight week, going off for 123 yards on 19 carries. He did drop a pass that likely would’ve gone for a long touchdown in the first quarter, but he played well otherwise.
- A couple of calls by the officials cost the Rams in this one. The first was a questionable intentional grounding call on Mayfield in the first half, which pulled the Rams out of field goal range. The second was an apparent forced fumble by Jalen Ramsey, but officials ruled it incomplete, which allowed the Chargers to kick a field goal to go up 17-10.
- Van Jefferson was the Rams’ leading receiver, catching three passes for 77 yards. No other player had more than 21 yards receiving. Mayfield finished with only 132 yards passing in the loss.
It was over when...
… Donald Parham scored a 3-yard touchdown with 12:12 left in the fourth quarter, putting the Chargers up 31-10 over the Rams. There was at least a small chance of a comeback when the Rams were down 24-10, but a three-touchdown lead was way too much for them to overcome – especially with the current receiving corps Mayfield is playing with.
COOKIN' @Jiggydd_89 | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ytCQQMP4VR
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 1, 2023
3 stars of the game
No. 3 star: Michael Hoecht – 7 tackles, 1 QB hit
No. 2 star: Van Jefferson – 3 catches, 77 yards
No. 1 star: Cam Akers – 19 carries, 123 yards, 1 reception, 10 yards
Play of the game
Akers’ biggest play was a 42-yard scamper on a pitch to the left side, and he was helped by some good blocking – specifically from Brycen Hopkins down the field.
Akers broke a couple of tackles along the sideline, which created even more yardage for himself, showing off his elusiveness and balance in the open field.
Cam The Ram with the big pickup! 🏃♂️💨@thereal_cam3 | 📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/WBIta3ucin
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 1, 2023
What's next?
The Rams will be on the road once again, closing out their season in Seattle next weekend. The date and time of the game have not been announced yet, we know the Rams will finish their season against the Seahawks in Week 18. Los Angeles is 5-11 on the year, by far the worst season under Sean McVay, but this team would love to cap off the season with a win over its division rival.
