Rams Beat Chargers 24-9 as Donald Fumbles
Aaron Donald knocked a loose ball out of bounds in the Rams' second straight win, improving Los Angeles to 4-4.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chargers 24-9 at SoFi Stadium on November 1. Wesley Bailey strip-sacked Justin Herbert at the Chargers' 26-yard line with 1:52 left in the third quarter, but Aaron Donald failed to recover the loose ball and knocked it out of bounds.
Why it matters
The win extends the Rams' winning streak to two games and lifts them to 4-4 in the standings. The play kept possession with the Chargers, who punted two plays later.
The Chargers lost nine yards on the strip-sack at the 26-yard line with 1:52 left in the third quarter. The Rams' 24-9 final margin and 4-4 record are the key measurable outcomes of the game.
The players
Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald is a Hall of Fame defensive tackle who spent his career with the Los Angeles Rams and is widely regarded as one of the best interior pass rushers in NFL history.
Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is the quarterback of the Los Angeles Chargers and has been one of the franchise's central figures since being drafted in the first round in 2020.
The details
Donald attempted to scoop up the loose ball near the 20-yard line, stumbled forward, and fell onto the football before knocking it out of bounds. Myles Garrett watched the game from a nearby exercise bike while injured, and Byron Young joked that Donald is getting a little old.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: Rams defeat Chargers 24-9 at SoFi Stadium.
1:52 remaining in the third quarter: Bailey strip-sacks Herbert and Donald fumbles the recovery attempt.
Season Trajectory
The Rams' 2018 Super Bowl team was built around a dominant defensive front led by Aaron Donald, and this game contrasts with that period as the Rams sit at 4-4. The win gives Los Angeles a second straight victory and keeps them in the mix in a competitive NFC race.
The Rams' 4-4 record and second straight win shape the standings picture for fantasy and season-long roster decisions. Donald's status and role going forward will be relevant to anyone tracking Rams defensive production.
The takeaway
A single play can swing field position and momentum, and the Rams' ability to win a second straight game despite a missed recovery is a useful signal for a team still finding its footing at 4-4.
Further reading
Explore more Los Angeles Football coverage for context on the Rams and Chargers.
