The Rams defeated the Chargers 35-23 Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Wide receiver Mike Williams caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon added a score, but it wasn't enough to overcome 33 first downs and 521 yards of total offense by the Rams.
The Chargers defense prevented Rams points on the opening possession of the game when cornerback Desmond King recovered a Todd Gurley fumble -- forced by defensive tackle Brandon Mebane -- at the Bolts' 24-yard line. The Chargers offense went three-and-out, though, and the Rams didn't make the same mistake on their next possession.
Gurley capped off an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The Rams led 7-0, but only for 92 seconds.
Gordon opened the Chargers' next possession with a 20-yard rush that included an acrobatic leap over Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner. Two plays later, Rivers found Williams, who beat cornerback Marcus Peters for a 42-yard touchdown reception. Caleb Sturgis missed the extra point, which made the score 7-6.
The Rams closed the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Robert Woods. It was all part of a seven-play, 75-yard drive that put the Rams up 14-6.
View the best of the Chargers as they face off against the Los Angeles Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon leaps over defenders during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Philip Rivers calls a play during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Darius Philon celebrates a tackle during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Jahleel Addae during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Desmond King celebrates a forcing a fumble during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Desmond King and Jahleel Addae celebrate King's forced fumble during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Brandon Mebane forces a fumble during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Ingram during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Chargers defenders stop run during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Kyzir White and Denzel Perryman on the sidelines during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Chargers offense during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Isaac Rochell during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams leaps for a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams leaps for a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams scores a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Derwin James completes his first NFL interception during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Derwin James celebrates his first interception during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The Bolts pose after Derwin James' interception during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Derwin James celebrates his first interception during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Ingram during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Antonio Gates catches a pass from Philip Rivers during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon and Derek Watt celebrate Gordon's touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon celebrates his touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Jahleel Addae makes a tackle during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon runs downfield for a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams catches a pass from Philip Rivers for a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams holds on to the ball for a touchdown during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Mike Williams scores his second touchdown of the game during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The team celebrates Mike Williams' second touchdown of the day during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon runs downfield during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Austin Ekeler keeps the ball in his grasp while running downfield during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Austin Ekeler runs the ball during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Caleb Sturgis kicks an extra point during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Melvin Gordon runs downfield during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Tyrell Williams runs downfield during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The team huddles on the field during the Bolts' matchup against the LA Rams at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
With the Rams threatening to score again, rookie safety Derwin James picked off Goff in the end zone for his first career interception. The Chargers offense took over at their own one-yard line, but quickly went three-and-out. On fourth down, Drew Kaser's punt was blocked by linebacker Cory Littleton and recovered by Blake Countess in the end zone for a Rams touchdown. A Sam Ficken extra point increased the lead to 21-6.
Down two scores, the Chargers then drove down the field in ten plays. Gordon's 11-yard touchdown rush – aided by a key block by fullback Derek Watt -- cut the Rams' lead to 21-13. That score would stay true after Ficken missed a 46-yard field goal to close the first half.
A Keenan Allen fumble on the opening drive of the second half set the Rams offense up at their own 45-yard line. Three plays later, Goff found wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a 53-yard touchdown reception.
Williams' big day continued on the Bolts' next possession. On a crucial 4th-and-2, Rivers found the second-year receiver for a 20-yard touchdown strike. The Chargers shaved the lead to 28-20, but stopping the Rams explosive offense proved to be too much.
Woods caught 10 of his 11 targets for 92 yards. His second touchdown -- a six-yard reception in the third quarter -- put the Rams up two scores.
Rivers finished the game 18-of-30 for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Gordon rushed for 80 yards on 15 carries.
UP NEXT:
The Chargers (1-2) are back at home in Week 4 to take on the San Francisco 49ers (1-2). Kickoff from ROKiT Field at StubHub Center is next Sunday at 1:25 p.m. Pacific on CBS.
