They can clinch the conference’s top wild-card position with a victory in their regular-season finale at Denver.
Some observations from their fourth consecutive win:
Defense continues to shine: The Chargers suffered a significant collapse in surrendering a 42-yard run to Cam Akers 10 minutes into the game.
In the second quarter, they let Van Jefferson get loose for a 39-yard reception and allowed Malcolm Brown to roar through the middle for a 23-yard touchdown.
Beyond that, they kept the Rams largely in check, Baker Mayfield totaling only 132 yards passing. Over their last eight quarters, the Chargers have given up only one touchdown and 215 net passing yards.
“I was very pleased with our second-half performance,” coach Brandon Staley said. “I thought we rushed the passer really well. I thought we covered extremely well … I felt like we were connected. We competed.”
The Chargers limited the Rams to four of 11 on third down and sacked Mayfield three times. In the last five games, the Chargers have allowed only 13 of 53 third downs to be converted.
The Rams reached the red zone only once — on their second possession — but had to settle for a field goal thanks to a third-down pass breakup by Michael Davis.
KVN playing like MVP: One of the Chargers’ sacks was by veteran Kyle Van Noy, who now has sacks in four consecutive games, a career high.
“Just being healthy and being on the field,” Van Noy said. “It takes a little while when you come from a different spot, just getting comfortable in the role and all that.”
In his ninth year, Van Noy signed with the Chargers as a free agent in May after spending time with New England, Miami and Detroit. He won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.
His third-quarter sack Sunday also resulted in a Mayfield fumble that Van Noy recovered. It was the only turnover of the game.
“I think that he’s comfortable,” Staley said. “He played in the same system for a long time. There are just little things [to adjust to]. Football is football to him, but I think that he is getting comfortable.”
The Chargers’ other two sacks — by Morgan Fox and Sebastian Joseph-Day — also came from players who were added in the offseason.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A third-quarter TD … finally: For the first time since Week 5, the Chargers scored a third-quarter touchdown. Ending that drought was just one of the notable moments for an offense that rediscovered some rhythm Sunday.
“It was a big lift for them, like, ‘We scored this thing, and that’s kind of off our back now,’ ” Staley said. “That’s what I think led to a complete performance, that third quarter leading to an even better fourth quarter.”
After receiving the opening kickoff of the second half, the Chargers went 75 yards in 11 plays.
Justin Herbert converted a third and one with a quarterback sneak. The touchdown came on third and three from the six-yard line, Herbert hitting Gerald Everett.
“All four quarters, I thought that we moved the ball pretty well,” Herbert said. “We did a lot of good things up front. We made some plays down the field. Overall, I thought that it was a great performance.”
Chargers tight end Donald Parham Jr. (89) catches a touchdown pass despite coverage by Rams safety Taylor Rapp.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Big score for big tight end: After a season filled with health issues and missed time, tight end Donald Parham Jr. finally made it back to the end zone, scoring on a three-yard pass from Herbert early in the fourth quarter.
“The first one, I knew it was going to be sweet,” Parham said. “Being out all season … it was a long time coming, for sure.”
In just his fifth game and having played limited snaps when available, Parham also scored in the same end zone where, in December 2021, he suffered a frightening concussion against Kansas City.
After his catch Sunday, he kept the ball. Parham said he would be sending it home to his family in Florida. It was his first touchdown since Nov. 7, 2021.
“This one was a little more special,” Parham said, “a little more personal.”
For the record: Austin Ekeler has 103 receptions for the season. Only one NFL running back — Christian McCaffrey — has had more in a single season. McCaffrey had 116 catches for the 2019 Carolina Panthers and 107 for the ’18 Panthers. … Herbert reached 100 career touchdowns — 92 passing, eight rushing — with his two scoring tosses. He matched Dan Marino for the most combined touchdowns for a player in his first three NFL seasons.
In his own words: “It’s cool. I don’t know how the hell he does it. It’s really neat. Like seeing it.” — Center Corey Linsley on Mike Williams’ one-handed catch