Rams beat Bills in thriller, take on the 49ers Thursday

It was one hell of a game. Four days after winning the biggest shootout in the NFL this season the Los Angeles Rams travel north in a crucial match against archrival San Francisco 49ers for Thursday Night Football at Levi's Stadium. For the first time this season the 7-6 Rams are above the .500 mark after defeating the Buffalo Bills in a wild affair at SoFi Stadium, 44-42, last Sunday in Week 14 of the NFL season.

The Rams and 49ers (6-7) have both struggled this season mainly due to injuries but are coming off impressive wins with four games remaining in the regular season and the NFC West title hanging in the balance. Currently the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) lead the Division, having won their last four games including two over the Arizona Cardinals (6-7) and one over the 49ers.

"No matter what's really happened in terms of the trajectory of the injuries, they're going to be ready to go and we're going to do our best to get our guys ready to roll," said Rams head coach Sean McVay about facing the 49ers. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur added, "We have our hands full with just this team so there's no playoffs or anything like that. We're going to need our best against this team in a tough environment."

The oddsmakers have given the Seahawks a 68% chance of making the playoffs, with the Rams at 26%, and the Cardinals and 49ers both at 9%. The good news for the Rams is that they control their own destiny. They are the only NFC West team with a game remaining against each team in the Division, and also the only team with one loss in the Division. There is also the possibility of earning a Wild Card draw as only one team (New York Giants) has been eliminated from the 2024 NFC playoffs. They are one game behind the 7th-seeded Washington Commanders (8-5) in the playoff race.

The Rams have a slight record edge against the 49ers, having won their first meeting of the season, 27-24, in Week 3 when they scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a two-touchdown deficit in the second half. The team was blown out 41-14 at Arizona in Week 2, and beat Seattle in overtime, 26-20, on the road in Week 8. The Rams also have an edge by hosting both the Cards and Seahawks at SoFi Stadium in the final two weeks of the season.

The thrilling win over the Bills was a record affair and the highest scoring NFL game of the season. It was the first game in league history when both teams scored 40-plus points and had no turnovers. It was also the first time a team (Buffalo) lost when scoring six touchdowns while having zero turnovers. The game featured 13 scores and 902 offensive yards, 53 total first downs, and remarkably zero interceptions and zero sacks by either side.

The Rams blocked their first punt since 2018, successfully converted 73% of their third downs (11/15 – best percentage since 2001), and the most points scored in a game with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. It arguably was Stafford's finest game with the team. McVay was impressed, "I thought Matthew was in total command.

"He ends up getting us into the right play on Puka's (Nacua) touchdown when they brought the zero blitz. That was kind of reflective of what he did all day. They're an excellent defense, but I thought he was able to put us in some really good spots and he's a stud."

It was also another stellar performance by wide receiver Puka Nacua, catching 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, including a toe-tapping sideline catch-of-the-week. Nacua also had five carries for 16 yards and one rushing touchdown. McVay talked about Nacua, "He was awesome. He's so physically and mentally tough. Love him. Igniter is one of the biggest compliments I can give somebody. You elevate everybody around you, you bring an energy to this football team, and he certainly did that today."

The bottom line is the Rams came up with the win nobody expected against a Buffalo team that most experts had earmarked for a Super Bowl appearance this season. Quarterback Josh Allen showed why he will win the league MVP this season as he was virtually unstoppable. Allen completed 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three passing touchdowns in the losing effort. He also led the Bills in rushing with 10 carries for 82 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

"You see, Josh Allen is an alien," said McVay. "Some of the stuff that he can do and the things that he can create, we knew he was capable of that. He's shown that. It's why he is as well respected and regarded in this league as he is. It's all deserved and earned."

"Preparing for the 49ers this Thursday will be a challenge against one of the league's best defenses. It starts with 49ers (middle linebacker) Fred Warner. Obviously (Nick) Bosa has been out a little bit, but when he's in there, it's a different animal," said Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who was the passing game coordinator with San Francisco from 2017-2020. "It's a dog fight every single time. They have the right leadership, they have the right mentality, they have the right standard, and they attack it. I know those guys."

Rams' defensive coordinator Chris Shula is focused on the 49ers running attack which is averaging over 5.5 yards per carry. "It's their philosophy. It seems like since we've been going against them since 2017, they've always been one of the most efficient teams in the league on early downs. It's their scheme. Their players are bought in up front and it's really all 11 of them."

The 49ers lead the all-time series against the Rams with 78 wins, 70 losses, and three ties. Under head coach Kyle Shanahan the 49ers had won nine of the previous ten matches between the two rivals. But the Rams have won the last two meetings, including another fourth-quarter comeback that propelled them into the NFL Playoffs in the final regular season game at SoFi Stadium last season.

"There's a familiarity if that makes any sense, but it's a great challenge. They know us. We know them," said McVay. "It's a little bit more challenging just in terms of my rhythm and routine. I'll tell you what, you like the Thursday games after you get through it. It's a good grind all the way up to it."