Rams & Chargers Tied 14-14 at Half After Fireworks in Final Minutes

The two LA rivals are all knotted up at halftime.

The Los Angeles Rams are the away team for Saturday's Week 1 preseason matchup with the neighboring Los Angeles Chargers. 

But regardless of whose logo is at the center of the field at SoFi Stadium, there's only one defending champion in the building, as coach Sean McVay and the Rams are now officially on the trail toward a repeat with the start of preseason.

Filled with star power on both sides, the Rams are without a handful of starters. On offense, quarterback Matthew Stafford, receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson, and running back Cam Akers were a few notable inactives, among others. 

On defense, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, linebacker Bobby Wagner, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey were other star players that are merely sideline observers for Saturday's intracity matchup.

Bryce Perkins got the start at quarterback for McVay against the Chargers. Last year, in the first three-game preseason in league history, Perkins got three starts and was the only Rams quarterback to play in the final two contests. 

In total, he went 56-91 passing for 451 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick. He also rushed 22 times for 114 yards.

Journeyman quarterback Chase Daniel unloaded a bomb to get the scoring started, connecting with receiver Joe Reed for a 41-yard touchdown. 

And even without star pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, the Chargers' d-line got home to Perkins on the Rams' first possession, bringing up rookie punter Cameron Dicker for his first-career boot.

It was more of the same for Dicker on the next possession. But then the Perkins magic happened. 

After getting the ball back, Perkins faced a third down and was another failed conversion away from a third-straight punt. Instead, he broke free for an impressive nine-yard run. 

The drive ended with running back AJ Rose plunging through the middle for six, making the score 7-7.

But the big plays didn't end there for Perkins and Co. He then found undrafted rookie receiver Lance McCutcheon on a 60-yard touchdown pass that somehow topped the highlight scramble the quarterback pulled off earlier in the quarter. 

The Chargers responded with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that saw Daniel toss his second score, this time to receiver Michael Bandy from 16 yards out. The game was now tied 14-14 with 30 seconds remaining. 

A game that began slowly for the Rams ended with some firework-filled plays in the second quarter. 

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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