Lead
Matthew Stafford reinforced his midseason MVP credentials on Sunday, throwing four touchdown passes with no turnovers to lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 42-26 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The win, played in Los Angeles, pushed the Rams to 7-2 and left the 49ers at 6-4 in a pivotal NFC West contest. Stafford completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and extended a historic streak of multi-TD, no-interception games. The result also sets up a crucial divisional matchup next week against the 7-2 Seattle Seahawks.
Key Takeaways
- Stafford threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in the game, completing 24 of 36 attempts for 280 yards.
- Los Angeles defeated San Francisco 42-26, improving the Rams to 7-2 while the 49ers fell to 6-4 in the NFC West.
- According to ESPN Research, Stafford became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw four TDs with zero INTs in three consecutive games.
- Stafford has 402 career passing touchdowns, joining an eight-player group that has reached 400 career TD passes.
- He entered the game leading the NFL with 21 touchdown passes and 268.4 yards per game, and he increased both totals on Sunday.
- The Rams opened quickly with three touchdown drives and led 21-7 at halftime before holding off a 49ers rally.
Background
The NFC West has been tightly contested this season, with Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco all competing for postseason positioning. The Rams arrived at Sunday’s game riding a strong offensive run under Stafford, who has seen a late-career resurgence after joining Los Angeles. San Francisco, meanwhile, has been searching for consistency on offense and defense through the first 10 weeks, making this matchup a key barometer for division hierarchy. Historically, intra-division games at this stage often determine playoff seeding, so the stakes were heightened for both clubs.
Stafford’s recent string of high-output games built on past performances in Weeks 7 and 9, when he also posted multiple touchdown efforts without an interception. That sequence reflects both personal efficiency and schematic adjustments by the Rams’ coaching staff, which has emphasized quick reads and play-action to maximize Stafford’s strengths. For the 49ers, a roster that routinely fields playoff-caliber defenses has struggled at times to translate pressure into takeaways, a factor that amplified Stafford’s clean performance on Sunday. Coaches, analysts and bettors have all flagged the coming week — a Rams-Seahawks showdown — as pivotal for seeding and individual awards talk.
Main Event
The Rams seized control early with three straight touchdown drives, beginning with a first-drive rushing score by Kyren Williams. Stafford followed with a 22-yard screen pass to Puka Nacua for a touchdown, and later connected with tight end Davis Allen on a precise sideline throw for another score that pushed the lead to 21-0. Los Angeles’ opening possessions showcased tempo and spacing designed to neutralize San Francisco’s front and create mismatches in the short passing game.
San Francisco responded late in the first half with a touchdown, and opened the second half with a Mac Jones pass to Luke Farrell to cut the deficit to 21-14. The 49ers’ push tested the Rams’ early-game advantage, but Los Angeles answered with a 64-yard drive finished by a Stafford pass to Davante Adams to restore separation. When the 49ers scored again, Kyren Williams answered with his second touchdown of the game, and Stafford later capped the scoring with a 16-yard strike to Colby Parkinson late in the fourth quarter.
The cumulative effect was a balanced Rams attack that combined efficient passing, impactful runs and timely third-down conversions. Stafford avoided turnovers entirely and made several throws under pressure that flipped field position and sustained drives. San Francisco had moments of life, but their inability to force takeaways or consistently stop the Rams on third down limited their comeback window. The final score was 42-26 in favor of Los Angeles.
Analysis & Implications
Stafford’s three-game run of four-TD, zero-INT performances (including wins over Jacksonville and New Orleans in Weeks 7 and 9) is unprecedented and shifts the MVP conversation in his direction. Voters typically reward efficiency, wins and high-impact plays; Stafford’s current numbers check those boxes. Leading the league in touchdown passes (21) and yards per game (268.4) entering the contest, he has combined volume with very low turnover risk — a rare blend that historically favors MVP candidates.
For the Rams, the victory not only tightened their grip on the division but also illustrated roster depth: Kyren Williams’ two rushing TDs, contributions from Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, and tight-end scoring all highlighted a multi-dimensional offense. If Los Angeles sustains this balance, they project as one of the deeper Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. Defensively, however, the Rams allowed 26 points and showed moments of vulnerability that could be exposed by elite rushing attacks or high-volume passing teams.
San Francisco’s loss raises questions about offensive consistency and the secondary’s ability to generate game-changing plays. While Mac Jones and the 49ers offense produced points, they repeatedly failed to sustain pressure-free drives that could have flipped momentum. The Week 11 matchup between the Rams and Seahawks will be a critical measuring stick: a Seattle win would complicate LA’s road to the division title and could recalibrate MVP polling if Stafford struggles under a stronger pass rush.
Comparison & Data
| Game | Opposition | Passing Yards | Passing TDs | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 182 | 5 | 0 |
| Week 9 | New Orleans Saints | 281 | 4 | 0 |
| Sunday | San Francisco 49ers | 280 | 4 | 0 |
The table above highlights Stafford’s three-game sequence of 4+ touchdown passes with no interceptions, a run that ESPN Research identified as a first in NFL history. Across those outings he has combined for more than 700 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes without a turnover. That volume-and-efficiency combination is rare: league leaders in touchdown passes typically incur more interceptions over similar spans. The statistical run boosts not only Stafford’s counting stats (he now has 402 career passing TDs) but also his advanced metrics, which reward completion percentage, yards per attempt and turnover avoidance.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach and expert responses underlined both the team result and Stafford’s personal surge.
(Paraphrased) “He was decisive in key moments and the offense executed the plan,”
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams head coach (paraphrased)
McVay’s comments after the game framed the win as a collective effort, noting the offensive line’s protection and skill-position playmakers’ ability to finish drives. He emphasized situational execution on third downs and in the red zone as decisive factors in the victory.
(Paraphrased) “The streak makes Stafford a legitimate midseason MVP candidate,”
ESPN analyst / Research summary (paraphrased)
Analysts pointed to the historical uniqueness of Stafford’s recent performances and the consistency of his efficiency metrics. Many noted that the upcoming game against Seattle will carry outsized influence on voters and perceived MVP momentum.
(Paraphrased) “Fans celebrated the drive and big plays across social media,”
Rams fans / social commentary (paraphrased)
Fan reaction on social platforms highlighted Stafford’s late-career renaissance and optimism about the Rams’ Super Bowl prospects, while many 49ers supporters questioned defensive lapses and potential adjustments required before their next division game.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Stafford will ultimately win the NFL MVP remains undecided; current streaks improve his standing but do not guarantee the award.
- The extent to which Sunday’s performance will shift voters’ opinions ahead of next week’s Rams-Seahawks game is uncertain and depends on outcomes and other contenders’ performances.
Bottom Line
Matthew Stafford’s four-TD, zero-interception outing in a 42-26 victory over the 49ers strengthens his argument as a leading MVP candidate by combining elite counting stats with exceptional efficiency. The Rams’ 7-2 mark and divisional advantage show that Stafford’s play is translating into meaningful team success, a key consideration for award voters. However, historical precedent shows MVP races can pivot on a small number of high-profile games, making the upcoming matchup with the 7-2 Seattle Seahawks especially consequential for perception and voting momentum.
Practically, the Rams look like genuine Super Bowl contenders if they maintain offensive balance and shore up defensive lapses exposed on Sunday. For the 49ers, the loss highlights areas for immediate correction if they hope to remain in the division hunt. Readers should watch the next two weeks closely: individual awards and playoff positioning may be shaped decisively in that span.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — news report summarizing game details and stats
- ESPN Research / NFL statistics — league statistical research and historical context
- NFL.com — official league box scores and team records