The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-7 for the first time since 2000 after a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, November 1, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — a defeat that extended their touchdown drought to 27 straight drives and nine consecutive quarters.
It is a strange kind of history. The last time the Chargers started a season 0-7, their quarterback was Jim Harbaugh. Twenty-six years later, Harbaugh is their head coach, presiding over the same record from the sideline.
How the Rams won it
For most of the first half, it was hard to tell which team was winless. The Rams, the NFL’s top offence by yardage coming into the game, failed to gain a first down on their first five drives and managed just 24 yards on their first 15 plays. Matthew Stafford was intercepted on the Rams’ second possession, and the Chargers led 9-3 on three Cameron Dicker field goals.
The game turned in the final minute of the half. Kyren Williams scored from one yard out to cap a 66-yard drive, giving the Rams a 10-9 lead at the break. They never trailed again: Blake Corum rushed for a touchdown, and after Trent McDuffie intercepted Justin Herbert, Stafford found Puka Nacua for an 18-yard touchdown that made it 24-9 with 3:48 left in the third quarter.
Stafford finished 17 of 25 for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Corum ran 11 times for 73 yards and a score, and the Rams (4-4) won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
An offence that cannot find the end zone
Herbert completed 24 of 32 passes for 257 yards but threw two interceptions and no touchdowns. He has now thrown an interception in every game this season, and his 10 interceptions against five passing touchdowns lead the league.
The numbers behind the drought are stark. The Chargers have not scored a touchdown since October 11 against Denver — 21 days — and their 27-drive scoreless streak is the NFL’s longest since the 2024 Miami Dolphins went 30 drives without a touchdown. The Chargers have also now lost 10 straight games counting last season’s playoffs, and they failed to score a touchdown for a second consecutive game.
“I think the turnovers are what’s stopping us, and that’s something we have to clean up,” Herbert said. “When we’re not converting on third down and not scoring points in the red zone, it’s tough in that regard.”
Harbaugh, who made five starts as the Chargers’ quarterback during the 1-15 season of 2000, said after the game: “Nobody is familiar with this.” The pressure is now mounting on offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whose offence has produced just 4.1 yards per play in this game and 64 rushing yards on 25 carries.
What comes next
The Chargers return home to SoFi Stadium in Week 9 to host the Houston Texans on Sunday, November 8. A win there would end the longest winless start in franchise history in a quarter-century — but on current form, even one touchdown would count as progress.
The Rams, meanwhile, travel to Washington next Sunday, having survived their own nightmare start to keep their season alive at 4-4. For one afternoon in Inglewood, the team that could not move the ball beat the team that could not score — and only one of them left with a win to show for it.
More Week 8 coverage
Read also: Commanders Score 27 Unanswered Points to Beat Eagles 27-10 on Sunday Night Football and Harrison Butker’s Latest Miss Puts Chiefs Kicking Job in Doubt as Justin Tucker Waits.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Chargers last start 0-7?
In 2000, when Jim Harbaugh — now their head coach — was their quarterback. That team finished 1-15.
How long is the Chargers’ touchdown drought?
Twenty-seven straight drives and nine consecutive quarters, dating back to October 11 against Denver. It is the NFL’s longest such streak since the 2024 Dolphins’ 30-drive drought.
Who do the Chargers play next?
They host the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, November 8, in Week 9.
Sources
Reuters, “Rams improve to 4-4 with decisive victory over winless Chargers”; New York Post, “Chargers’ misery hits ironic 26-year low”; Chargers Wire (USA Today), “Chargers fall to 0-7: Instant analysis of LA’s Week 8 loss”; NDTV Sports, “Los Angeles Rams Shake Off Historic Slow Start To Defeat Winless Los Angeles Chargers”; ESPN Insights statistics as reported by the New York Post and Chargers Wire.
