Despite two turnovers, the Rams have performed well on offense to take an early lead. But CB Marcus Peters has left the game with an apparent lower-leg injury.
Here are some notes from the game's first 30 minutes.
TAKING AN EARLY LEAD
The Rams got on the board first with a nice 80-yard drive that culminated in a short touchdown by running back Todd Gurley.
Quarterback Jared Goff connected with Gurley for 16 yards on a swing pass, wide receiver Robert Woods for 16 yards over the middle, and then tight end Tyler Higbee for 15 yards on the left side to put the Rams in scoring territory.
Though a 3rd-and-7 catch over the middle to wideout Brandin Cooks initially appeared as if it was a 17-yard touchdown, the play was overturned as Cooks' knee was apparently down at the Chargers' one. But it was no matter, as Gurley took in the next play from scrimmage to give the Rams an early 7-0 lead.
OFFENSE CONTINUES TO SCORE
Though the Chargers responded with a 42-yard touchdown from quarterback Philip Rivers to wideout Mike Williams — albeit with a missed extra point — the Rams came right back with another strong drive to increase their lead.
Goff connected with wideout Cooper Kupp over the middle to move the chains on 3rd-and-6 from the Rams' 29. And then he scrambled up the middle 16 yards to take the club into Chargers territory. Consecutive receptions by Woods and Cooks moved the home team up to the visitors' three, where Goff would connect with Woods once again on a three-yard touchdown over the middle.
That was the last drive of the first quarter, and the Rams' ended it with 14 first downs to the Chargers' two, and 4-of-4 in third-down efficiency. Goff also finished the first period 13-of 14 for 141 yards with a touchdown — good for a 132.4 passer rating.
SPECIAL TEAMS TOUCHDOWN
Inside linebacker Cory Littleton blocked two punts during the 2017 season as a special teams standout. It seemed like that prowess might come to an end with Littleton as the defensive signal-caller, but special teams coordinator John Fassel was able to deploy the Washington product at just the right time in the second quarter.
After Goff was intercepted in the end zone, safety Derwin James returned the pick to just the Chargers' one-yard line. The defense flirted with a safety on the first two plays, before linebacker Ramik Wilson tackled running back Melvin Gordon on just a three-yard gain.
That's when the Chargers attempted to punt, and Littleton burst through the middle, and essentially took the kick right off of punter Drew Kaser's foot. Safety Blake Countess was able to fall on it for a big special teams touchdown to give the Rams a 21-6 advantage.
PETERS INJURED
Cornerback Marcus Peters went down with an apparent lower-leg injury midway through the second quarter. He was spotted heading into the locker room on a cart. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Peters has a calf injury and will not return to the contest.
Cornerback Sam Shields came in to replace Peters on defense. We'll have an update when it's available.
Outside linebacker Dominique Easley is also questionable to return with a knee injury.
