Rams win Battle for LA as Chargers winless nightmare hits new low

For nearly 30 minutes Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Rams looked like a team determined to give away another football game.Fortunately for Sean McVay, the Los Angeles Chargers were more than willing to take that burden off their hands.In just the second regular-season Battle for LA at SoFi Stadium, the Rams overcame a dreadful first half, forced three turnovers and scored 21 unanswered points to defeat their winless roommates, 24-9, earning consecutive victories for the first time this season.The Rams (4-4) are back at .500 after a season that appeared to be slipping through their fingers just two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Chargers (0-7) remain the NFL’s punching bag, with Justin Herbert’s interception problems becoming as inevitable as a dog who barks at the mailman when they see him from the window.It wasn’t pretty early, but the Rams eventually reminded their crosstown rivals who owns the house. The afternoon began with an intriguing wrinkle on special teams.The Rams elevated kicker Josh Karty from the practice squad to handle kickoffs alongside veteran Brandon McManus, and the experiment initially looked brilliant.Karty’s opening kickoff bounced awkwardly in front of the returner, limiting the Chargers to a nine-yard return and pinning them at their own 23-yard line.Unfortunately, the Rams offense didn’t start as sharp as their new kickoff specialist. After forcing a three-and-out, Matthew Stafford threw an ugly interception to Tarheeb Still, who jumped a sideline route intended for Konata Mumpfield.

A Tyler Higbee false start had turned a manageable third-and-1 into third-and-6, another example of the self-inflicted mistakes that have haunted McVay’s team.The Chargers couldn’t capitalize, however, and Herbert returned the favor with an interception to Quentin Lake, who nearly took it to the house before being stopped deep in Chargers territory.For most of the first half, Stafford and the Rams offense looked completely lost.Five possessions...