Los Angeles Chargers vs Los Angeles Rams

The preseason meeting between the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams on August 16, 2025, at SoFi Stadium delivered late-game drama as the Rams escaped with a 23–22 victory. In a contest filled with wild swings and momentum shifts, Stetson Bennett stole the spotlight in the final seconds, leading a stunning last-minute drive capped off by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tru Edwards with just five seconds on the clock. For the home crowd, it was a breathtaking finish that turned what looked like a Chargers win into a gut-punch defeat.

The Chargers had plenty of positives to build on despite the heartbreaking loss. Rookie Luke Grimm provided one of the biggest highlights of the night with a dazzling 66-yard punt return for a touchdown, sparking the Chargers sideline into celebration. On defense, TeRah Edwards showcased his playmaking instincts by jumping a route and returning an interception 27 yards for a touchdown, another preseason gem from an undrafted rookie fighting for a roster spot. Plays like these hinted at depth and energy the Chargers coaching staff will value heading into roster cuts.

Stetson Bennett, meanwhile, showed why the Rams believe he can be a key depth option at quarterback. After throwing an interception earlier that swung momentum against him, the young passer responded with composure, stringing together sharp throws on the final drive. A 40-yard strike to Brennan Presley in double coverage with just seconds left set up the game-winning touchdown. It was a reminder of Bennett’s knack for clutch performances and resilience under pressure, attributes that could earn him more trust moving forward.

The Chargers also had concerning moments, especially with injuries. Star wideout Quentin Johnston was carted off in the first quarter after taking a heavy hit, later diagnosed with a concussion. While head coach Jim Harbaugh expressed relief that Johnston was alert afterward, the incident cast a shadow over an otherwise spirited outing. Starter Justin Herbert saw only limited action, completing 2 of 5 passes for 46 yards before handing the reins to the backups, who flashed both promise and inconsistency.

As the preseason winds down, both teams will take valuable lessons from the game. The Rams can celebrate their resilience, the emergence of Bennett as a confident leader in crunch time, and a defense that held just enough to make the comeback possible. For the Chargers, standout performances from rookies like Grimm, Edwards, and Tre’ Harris, who added six catches for 85 yards, were encouraging signs even in defeat. In the end, it was everything a preseason rivalry game should be—fierce competition, breakout moments, and a finish that had the SoFi crowd on edge until the very last play.