INGLEWOOD — For the many Chargers fans who make the Sunday drive up from San Diego and Southwest Riverside County, the Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts was a tough pill to swallow. The Chargers, playing on their home turf at SoFi Stadium, fell to the visiting Colts in a 38-24 defeat that saw Indianapolis control the game from the opening kickoff.
The Colts arrived in Los Angeles for their second game of the 2025 season at SoFi Stadium, having previously lost to the Rams in a close Week 4 contest. This time, however, they left with a convincing win, shifting the AFC landscape and leaving the Chargers to regroup.
Indianapolis set an aggressive pace early. The Colts’ offense took the field and immediately established its dominance. The offensive line created significant running lanes, allowing running back Jonathan Taylor to cap a swift five-play, 75-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown run. In just two minutes and 24 seconds, the Colts were on the board, and the tone for the day was set.
The Chargers responded with a field goal, but the Colts’ offense came back with unrelenting pressure. Facing a fourth-and-one situation on their own 39-yard line, Indianapolis chose to go for it. Taylor was initially stopped but pushed forward to gain the first down. This aggressive play-calling continued deep in Chargers territory, with the Colts converting two more fourth-down situations before scoring their second touchdown of the day.
Quarterback Daniel Jones and the Colts’ offense kept their foot on the gas. On a third-and-17 play deep in their own territory, Jones connected with Alec Pierce for a 48-yard gain, a play that deflated the home crowd. Three plays later, Jones found rookie tight end Tyler Warren for a five-yard touchdown pass. It marked three possessions and three touchdowns for Indianapolis.
By halftime, the Colts had built a commanding 23-3 lead. The Indianapolis defense was just as effective as its offense, keeping Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert under constant pressure throughout the first half. The Colts’ defense managed to intercept two of Herbert’s passes before the break, disrupting any offensive rhythm the Chargers tried to build.
Any hope for a second-half momentum swing for Los Angeles was quickly extinguished. Following a quick score by the Chargers to start the third quarter, Colts returner Ameer Abdullah took the ensuing kickoff 60 yards, setting his team up at the LA 14-yard line. Two plays later, Indianapolis was back in the end zone. A successful two-point conversion extended their lead to 21 points less than three minutes into the half.
From there, the Colts played a solid, mistake-minimizing game. They effectively matched the Chargers score-for-score in the second half, preventing any chance of a comeback. Even when the Chargers managed to make a significant gain, the Indianapolis defense held its ground and kept the pressure on.
Despite fielding a weakened secondary, the Colts’ defense made critical stops when it mattered most. For Indianapolis, this was a statement game, proving they are a serious contender in the AFC. For the Chargers and their dedicated fans from across Southern California, it was a disappointing outcome that raises questions as they look ahead to the rest of the season. Next up: The Los Angeles Chargers will host the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:15 p.m. PT (8:15 p.m. ET) and the game will be televised on Amazon Prime Video
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