SoFi Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Chargers — but this past Sunday, Southern California native Jayden Daniels made it his house for a few hours.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
SoFi Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Chargers — but this past Sunday, Southern California native Jayden Daniels made it his house for a few hours.
The Chargers jumped out to an early 10–0 lead, but the momentum quickly shifted as Daniels and the Washington Commanders rallied with 27 unanswered points to hand Los Angeles a 27–10 defeat.
Daniels, who grew up about 90 minutes east of the stadium in San Bernardino, made his return after missing two games with a left knee injury. He started slowly but found his rhythm in front of family and friends.
“I’ve dreamt of moments like this — being able to play in front of my family back in my hometown,” Daniels said.
Commanders Catch Fire
After the Commanders’ defense forced a key fumble in the second quarter, Daniels went to work. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, guiding Washington (3–2) to its first road win of the season.
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored twice, including a 15-yard run that put Washington ahead 17–10 early in the third quarter. “It was just great to have his presence on the field,” Croskey-Merritt said of Daniels.
Chargers Undone by Penalties and Pressure
The Chargers (3–2) were one of the league’s least penalized teams during their 3–0 start, but discipline has slipped in recent weeks. A week after committing 15 penalties for 107 yards in a narrow loss to the New York Giants, they again struggled with costly mistakes.
A roughing-the-punter penalty erased a 57-yard punt return touchdown by Ladd McConkey, setting up another Commanders scoring drive. “We’ve got to tighten up the operation in every way,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game.
Kicker Matt Gay tied the game 10–10 with a 29-yard field goal just before halftime, but the Chargers never regained control. Offensive lineman Trey Pipkins committed back-to-back penalties on one second-half drive, and the team turned the ball over on downs on another.
Quarterback Justin Herbert, already the NFL’s most-pressured passer this season, was sacked four more times. He finished 22 of 29 for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Through five games, Herbert has been sacked 16 times behind an injury-depleted offensive line.
What’s Next
The Commanders (3–2) will host the Chicago Bears next week, while the Chargers travel to face the Miami Dolphins.