The Rams overcome major effort by Josh Allen to beat the Bills
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Bills 44-42 in a wild contest that saw the teams combine for 86 points and no turnovers. The Rams keep pace in the NFC West by improving to 7-6, which is the first time all season that L.A. has had a winning record.
Josh Allen scored six touchdowns and the teams traded blow for blow, but the Rams ended up coming out ahead thanks to a late decision by Sean McVay to go for it on fourth down and a touchdown pass to Puka Nacua to take a 9-point lead.
Nacua finished with 12 catches for 162 yards on 14 targets.
PUKA NACUA! ABSOLUTELY UNREAL!
: @NFLonFOX | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/QQQNDqo0FC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 8, 2024
LA led 24-10 at halftime, and in the second half their solid play continued but the Bills played tough and never rolled over.
Allen had 342 passing yards with three touchdowns, in addition to 82 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s the first player in NFL history to score 3 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns in the same game.
But the Rams answered with 320 yards and two touchdowns by Matthew Stafford, as well as two more touchdowns by Kyren Williams on the ground. Puka had two touchdowns, including one rushing score.
Cooper Kupp added 92 yards and a touchdown. Tutu Atwell had 45 yards and a key fourth down catch on the final scoring drive.
The game started with the Rams scoring a touchdown in the first quarter and those initial points allowed LA to play with a lead throughout most of the contest. The Rams also added a score on special teams. It was maybe the best half of football McVay’s team had played all year. It was maybe the most complete game the offense had played all year.
In the second half, the Bills refused to surrender even as Matthew Stafford continued to make play after play. Josh Allen kept his team in this game with his arm and his legs.
Chris Shula’s defense played well at first, but slowed down in quarters three and four, but at times Allen and the Bills just made plays regardless of what the Rams did.
For LA to stay in this contest it was integral that McVay called a great game, and for much of the contest he did. He dialed up runs, passes and his players executed to the tune of 44 total points. The most points the team’s scored all year.
The Rams face the 49ers on Thursday Night Football in another must-win NFC West matchup.