Rams Host Winless Chargers in LA Derby at SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers met Sunday at SoFi Stadium for a big crosstown matchup. The Rams came in with a 3-4 record and a winning streak they wanted to protect. The Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, had not won a single game yet this season, sitting at 0-6. Rams coach Sean McVay made it clear he was not underestimating the Chargers just because of their record.

McVay repeated his message more than once to reporters during the week. 'I couldn't care less about what their record is,' he said. He wanted his players locked in and focused no matter who they faced. In the NFL, a struggling team can still pull off a big upset on any Sunday.

The Chargers got some welcome news before the game. Wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Tre' Harris, plus offensive tackle Joe Alt, all returned from injuries and were ready to play. Coach Jim Harbaugh said the team felt prepared and confident. 'It's a good thing,' Harbaugh said. 'Feel like we're in a good place, ready to go.'

But the Chargers also had some bad news to deal with. Star safety Derwin James Jr. was placed on injured reserve after missing three games with a hamstring injury. Losing such an important defensive player was a setback for the team. Still, the Chargers were determined to fight hard and try to get their first win.

For the Rams, cornerback Trent McDuffie came back after missing the previous game with a groin injury. His return was a boost for the team's defense. Kickers Joshua Karty and Brandon McManus were both active as well. Offensive lineman Coleman Shelton also played despite dealing with a hip injury during practice.

The Rams' run game had been working well lately. Running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum both carried the ball and scored touchdowns in the previous win over the Raiders. Williams described what makes their partnership click: 'We have similarities running the ball but also differences too. And I think that's what makes that 1-2 punch everybody keeps talking about.' Coach McVay was hoping to keep building on that success.

Away from the action on the field, a legal dispute connected to SoFi Stadium was making news. Rams owner Stan Kroenke and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. had once celebrated the stadium's construction together about ten years ago. Now they were on opposite sides of a court fight over electronic billboards placed around the city. The disagreement had even made it onto the November 3 ballot for local voters to decide.

A separate story raised serious questions about football and player health. A new study from Boston University looked at the medical records of more than 2,000 former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023. Researchers found that about 74.5% of them likely had CTE, a brain disease caused by repeated hard hits to the head. The study was carefully designed to avoid selection bias, making its results more reliable than earlier research.