Commanders rally past Chargers 27-10 in surprise comeback

When Washington Commanders stormed SoFi Stadium on Sunday, October 5, 2025, nobody expected a 27‑10 rout over the Los Angeles Chargers. Yet a fumble recovery, a quarterback’s return from injury, and a defensive masterclass turned a 10‑0 early deficit into a 27‑point second‑half blitz that snapped the Chargers’ hot streak and nudged Washington back above .500.

How the early lead fell apart

Justin Herbert, the Chargers’ rising star who’s been quietly building an MVP résumé, opened the game with a crisp 35‑yard strike to Keenan Allen. The drive ended with a 5‑yard rushing TD by Austin Ekeler, giving Los Angeles a 10‑0 cushion before the first quarter even ended. That quick start fed the narrative that the Chargers, sitting at 3‑1, were primed to dominate the rest of the season.

But the tide turned when Jayden Daniels, Washington’s quarterback who missed the previous two contests with a knee sprain, finally took the field. On his very first snap, the Chargers forced a fumble that the Commanders recovered at the Chargers’ 38‑yard line. The turnover sparked a 12‑play, 38‑yard march that culminated in a 3‑yard TD run by running back Javon LeBlanc, cutting the deficit to 10‑7.

Washington’s second‑half surge

What happened next read like a script for a Monday night thriller. The Commanders’ defense, anchored by rookie edge rusher Myles Kittner, lifted the pressure. Kittner forced a sack on Herbert in the third quarter that resulted in a forced fumble, which defensive back Tyrell Ortiz recovered and returned to the Chargers’ 22‑yard line.

Three plays later, Daniels connected with wide receiver Malik Turner for a 20‑yard TD pass, putting Washington ahead 21‑10. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Commanders had piled on another 6 points via a field goal from rookie kicker Ethan Patel, sealing a 27‑10 victory.

Key statistics that tell the story

• Time of possession: Washington 34:12, Los Angeles 25:48.
• Turnovers: Commanders 2 (both forced fumbles), Chargers 1 (lost fumble).
• Third‑down conversions: Washington 8 of 12, Chargers 3 of 10.
• Total yards: Commanders 312, Chargers 285.
• Penalties: Chargers 9 for 85 yards, Commanders 5 for 38 yards.

Those numbers underline a story that goes beyond the scoreboard – Washington’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage in the second half flipped the script entirely.

Reactions from the sidelines

Head coach Mike Reynolds praised his team’s resilience. “We stuck to our game plan, we fought for every inch, and the guys trusted each other,” he said in the post‑game press conference. “Jayden showed the poise of a veteran, and the defense answered the call when it mattered most.”

On the other side, Chargers coach Larry Gomez admitted the team was caught off‑guard. “We didn’t adjust quickly enough after the turnover,” Gomez said. “Justin’s a great quarterback, but football is a team sport. We’ll learn from this.”

What the win means for Washington

The victory bumps the Commanders to 3‑2, restores them to a winning record and fuels momentum ahead of a Monday Night Football showdown with the Chicago Bears. If Daniels continues his healthy play and the defense maintains its aggressive edge, Washington could solidify a playoff berth earlier than expected.

Analysts are already noting the symbolic importance of Daniels’ return. He suffered a Grade‑2 MCL sprain in Week 2, missing two games. In his comeback, he posted a passer rating of 112.4, completed 68% of his throws, and threw no interceptions – statistics that put him among the league’s top performers this season.

Implications for the Chargers

The loss drops Los Angeles to 3‑2 and halts a three‑game winning streak that had many pundits betting on Herbert’s MVP candidacy. The Chargers now face a must‑win scenario against the New York Giants next Sunday. If they can rebound, Herbert’s numbers remain elite – 312 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 98.6 passer rating this week – but the durability of that early‑season surge is now in question.

Defensive coordinator Rick Daniels (no relation to the quarterback) acknowledged the need for adjustments. “We need to tighten our tackling in the open field and stay disciplined on blitz calls,” he remarked. “If we can do that, the offense will have the space it needs.”

Looking ahead: Week 7 matchups

Washington’s next test arrives on Monday, October 12, when they host the Bears under the bright lights of FedExField. The Bears, sitting at 2‑3, feature a stout defense led by linebacker Darius McAllister, who will look to stifle Daniels and the Commanders’ aerial attack.

Meanwhile, the Chargers travel west to take on the Giants at MetLife Stadium. A win would restore them to 4‑2 and keep them in the NFC West race, but the Giants’ defensive line, anchored by veteran Aaron Parker, could pose a fresh challenge.