The Los Angeles Rams were facing a crucial fourth-and-5 at the Buffalo 35-yard line, holding a narrow 38-35 lead with just under four minutes remaining in their high-energy showdown with the Bills. Typically, head coach Sean McVay is conservative in such situations, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if he opted for a long field goal or a punt. However, McVay kept the offense on the field, and Matthew Stafford, staying calm under pressure, found Tutu Atwell for an 11-yard gain. This pivotal play helped the Rams secure a 44-42 victory over the powerful Bills, a win that could change the course of their season.
“We felt like we needed to make it a two-possession game,” McVay said. “They were rolling. We talked about aggressively going to win that game. It was just a reflection of the confidence in that group and what we felt we needed to do to win.”
McVay’s faith in the offense was well-placed. While the Rams’ offense had been inconsistent throughout the season, ranked 18th in the league going into the game, the team was finally healthy at a key point in the season. Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams were playing at a Pro Bowl level, and that spelled trouble for Buffalo—and potentially for the rest of the NFC. With the Rams sitting at 7-6, they now have a chance to maintain this offensive momentum, especially as they head into a short week with a Thursday night game against San Francisco.
“It was fantastic being able to feel like, man, this is what it feels like when the Rams are moving and connecting on all cylinders,” Nacua said.
The Rams racked up 457 total yards against Buffalo, with Stafford passing for a season-high 320 yards. Nacua had a standout performance, recording 162 yards receiving, two touchdowns, and adding 16 rushing yards and another touchdown. Remarkably, this was the first time Stafford led the Rams to a 40-point game.
Thanks to their explosive offense, the Rams are above .500 for the first time this season and are just one game behind Seattle (8-5) in the NFC West after winning six of their last eight games. A team that looked doomed after a 1-4 start is still in the playoff hunt, sitting just one game behind Washington (8-5) for the final wild card spot.
“It’s cool to be able to play meaningful football in December,” McVay said. “You never take that for granted.”
The Rams’ offense clicked largely due to their success on third downs, converting 11 of 15 attempts. This marked their highest third-down success rate since 2001, not to mention the critical fourth-down conversion that sealed the game.
While the Rams’ offense excelled, their defense had its struggles. The secondary, in particular, was vulnerable, with Darious Williams getting beaten on multiple occasions and Quentin Lake committing a costly pass interference penalty late in the game. Buffalo racked up 445 yards, further highlighting the Rams’ struggles on defense, which had already dropped them to 26th in total defense.
The Rams’ offensive line, which had been a weak point earlier in the season, showed marked improvement, allowing no sacks and just three hits on Stafford while helping to rush for 137 yards.
Edge rusher Byron Young had a challenging game, including two penalties on Buffalo’s first drive, and the team’s defensive discipline was lacking, which proved costly.
As for injuries, cornerback Cobie Durant is dealing with a bruised lung, and his availability for Thursday’s game is uncertain. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson also played through a shoulder sprain against Buffalo.
In a historic first, this game marked the first time in NFL history that both teams scored at least 40 points and committed no turnovers. Meanwhile, the Rams now face a 49ers team that, while vulnerable this season, has often had McVay’s number—though the Rams did pull off a dramatic 27-24 comeback win in September when both teams were dealing with significant injuries to their top offensive players.
