nbcsports
The Los Angeles Chargers' offensive woes persisted under coordinator Mike McDaniel and quarterback Justin Herbert on Sunday. Herbert, who leads the league in interceptions, threw his second pick of the game in the third quarter, and the Rams made him pay.
Herbert targeted tight end Charlie Kolar, but cornerback Trent McDuffie intercepted the pass and returned it to the Chargers' 22-yard line. On the very next play, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua on a screen pass to the left, and Nacua took it 18 yards for a touchdown, extending the Rams' lead to 24-9 with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Nacua has been a standout, recording 10 receptions for 82 yards on 11 targets. Meanwhile, the Rams' defense suffered a potential blow when cornerback Jaylen Watson exited with a shoulder injury in the third quarter and is questionable to return.
The Rams have now scored 21 consecutive points, finding the end zone on three of their last four possessions, turning the game in their favor.
Key Analysis
Herbert's league-leading 10th interception proved costly, as the Rams efficiently converted the turnover into points. The Chargers' offensive struggles continue to hinder their competitiveness, while the Rams' ability to capitalize on mistakes has shifted the momentum decisively.
Originally reported by nbcsports.