Defense keeps Rams streak win going

The Los Angeles Rams are finding different ways to win games each week. In Week 14, the Rams scored 44 points in their 44-42 win against the Buffalo Bills. They put 24 points on the scoreboard by the end of the first half. 

The offensive output by the Rams was a season-best for the team as they kept pace with the explosive Bills.  

It was a much different story against the San Francisco 49ers in a Thursday Night Football game in Santa Clara, California. Sean McVay’s team put up a total of 12 points and walked out of Levi Stadium with a victory. The Rams were able to pull this off because of its defense. 

The Rams held San Francisco to 63 yards rushing and limited Brock Purdy to just 142 yards passing to come away with a 12-6 win. Yes, that much talk-about 49ers offense was held to just two field goals for the entire game. The Rams have now beaten the 49ers twice this season.  

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 12: Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball during a NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers on December 12, 2024 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)

The 49ers were forced to punt seven times and totaled less than 200 yards in total offense (191 yards net). LA came up with three sacks of Purdy and forced the San Francisco quarterback to throw a costly interception in the endzone. 

The Rams had difficulty putting points on the scoreboard in the first half. The Rams punted the ball five times-in the first half. 

That inability to keep drives going can be pointed at the Rams’ conversion of third-down attempts. Los Angeles wrapped up the first half making 2 of 8 third down attempts. With quarterback Matthew Stafford going 4 of 12 for 23 yards in the first half, the Rams couldn’t get loose.     

For that matter, the 3-3 halftime score epitomized the scoring frustration of both teams. With rain coming down all over the place, the touchdown drought through the first two quarters had to come to an end.   

Every game the Rams play from here on out is going to be a big game. The Rams went over the .500 mark with a remarkable win at home against a scoring onslaught by Josh Allen and the Bills. That win was a big game for the Rams in a lot of ways. 

The Rams had to win to stay in the race for the NFC West Division title. They also needed to win to let the rest of the NFL know that they could play with the big bullies on the block as well. 

The 49ers appear to have lost their dominance this season with Seattle now sitting at the top of the NFC West and everyone else chasing them. The Rams, however, are nipping at the Seahawks’ heels.  

With offensive stars like running back Christian McCaffery and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on injured reserve, the 49ers have turned into a pedestrian team this season. The Rams made that vaunted 49ers offense look ordinary.

With a short turnaround from their win against Buffalo, the offense may have been gassed from that shootout with the Bills. Kyren Williams went over the century mark in rushing, going for 108 yards on 29 carries and Joshua Karty booted in all the points the Rams would need in this contest. 

The win keeps the Rams in contention for the NFC West crown. The defeat puts the 49ers on the brink of missing the postseason.  

Lead Image Photo Caption: SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 12: Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (4) high fives Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough (39) after their win against the San Francisco 49ers after a NFL game on December 12, 2024 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)


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