The Los Angeles Rams beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-18 on Thursday, Aug. 27, at SoFi Stadium. The win completed a 3-0 preseason and all but settled the backup quarterback competition before Sunday's 53-man roster deadline.

Stetson Bennett did not play. Under coach Sean McVay's approach, players held out of the finale are expected to make the roster. That signals Bennett is on track to back up Matthew Stafford when the Rams open the regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia, according to the LA Times.

Rookie Ty Simpson, the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft, started and played the first half. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. His best play came early in the second quarter on third-and-seven from the Chargers' 11-yard line: he escaped pressure, rolled left and fired to a diving Brennan Presley for the score.

It was Simpson's second turnover-free outing in three preseason games.

McVay praised Simpson's composure but declined to publicly name a No. 2 quarterback. He said he wasn't "pigeonholing" himself into a decision but added he feels "really good" about both Bennett and Simpson.

After the Rams' Aug. 15 preseason opener against the Chiefs, Simpson described his approach to the competition. "I really just try to be the best version of myself I can be and compete with myself," he told the Culver City Observer. "A lot of the time, people get caught up in, 'Who is better than who?'"

Chargers side

Justin Herbert played just two series for the Chargers. He fumbled on a handoff exchange that led to a Rams field goal, then answered with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston, the second-longest catch of Johnston's career, according to the LA Times.

Coach Jim Harbaugh called the throw "double wow."

In the Chargers' backup race, DJ Uiagalelei outplayed Trey Lance. Uiagalelei completed 11 of 18 passes for 141 yards but lost a fumble on a strip-sack by Rams outside linebacker Darryl Peterson III in the final minute that sealed the loss. Undrafted running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. rushed for 118 yards on nine carries, including a 34-yard touchdown. The Chargers finished the preseason 1-2.

Roster moves and what's next

Hours before kickoff Thursday, the Rams traded running back Jarquez Hunter to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, who returns after five seasons and 64 regular-season games with Los Angeles. General manager Les Snead said Atwell knows McVay's offense and "can come in and play all three [receiver] positions."

Peterson III's two-sack performance and kicker Harrison Mevis going 6-for-6 on field goals across three games strengthened their roster cases. NFL teams must cut to 53 players by Sunday, Aug. 30.

The Rams open the regular season Sept. 10 in Melbourne. The Chargers host the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13 at SoFi Stadium.