Lead: On Sunday the Los Angeles Rams delivered a decisive 42-26 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, marking their fourth straight win. Matthew Stafford reached a career passing milestone during the game and finished with four touchdown passes. Los Angeles built an early 21-0 cushion and repeatedly answered each 49ers rally, leaving San Francisco with two turnovers and a turned-over-on-downs sequence. The result improved the Rams to 7-2 while the 49ers fell to 6-4.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Rams 42, 49ers 26; Los Angeles extended its winning streak to four games.
- Matthew Stafford completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, reaching a career milestone (400th) and finishing the day with 402 career passing TDs.
- Stafford has 20 touchdown passes and no interceptions over the last five games and leads the league with 25 TD passes on the season.
- Puka Nacua (5 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD) and Davante Adams (6 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD) were primary receiving targets; Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen also caught touchdown passes.
- Kyren Williams rushed 14 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns, providing an effective complement to the passing attack.
- The Rams outgained San Francisco 401 yards to 393, while the 49ers committed two turnovers and lost one possession on downs.
- 49ers quarterback Mac Jones was 33-of-39 for 319 yards, three touchdowns and one interception; George Kittle had nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Background
The Rams entered Sunday having recovered from an earlier loss to San Francisco and riding a multi-game surge that has reinserted them into NFC contention. Matthew Stafford’s season has been one of resurgence: he leads the league with 25 passing touchdowns and has produced an exceptional five-game stretch with 20 TDs and no interceptions. Los Angeles’ balanced offense—mixing efficient passing and timely runs from Kyren Williams—has been central to the team’s recent climb to a 7-2 record.
San Francisco arrived at the matchup at 6-3 with recent history against the Rams fresh in mind—the 49ers beat Los Angeles 26-23 in overtime on Oct. 2. The teams’ familiarity and divisional stakes add context: both squads are contenders in the NFC and a head-to-head win carries both momentum and tiebreak implications. Turnovers and red‑zone efficiency have been recurring themes for each side this season and played a decisive role in this meeting.
Main Event
The Rams set the tone early, assembling a sequence that produced three first-half touchdowns and a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Stafford connected for touchdown passes of 22 yards to Puka Nacua, 4 yards to Davis Allen and a short 2-yard strike to Davante Adams as the Rams converted opportunities into points. Los Angeles’ offense sustained drives and avoided costly errors while the defense forced multiple stalled 49ers possessions.
San Francisco repeatedly attempted to respond, and Mac Jones engineered several scoring drives—finishing 33-of-39 for 319 yards with three touchdown passes—but the 49ers were hampered by two turnovers and one turnover on downs that stalled momentum. George Kittle and Jauan Jennings made plays to keep San Francisco within striking distance, but each time the 49ers narrowed the gap the Rams produced an answer, including a 16-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson that helped seal the game.
Statistically the game was close in total yardage—Rams 401, 49ers 393—but situational execution favored Los Angeles. The Rams converted key third downs and red-zone chances into touchdowns, while San Francisco’s miscues in critical moments prevented a full comeback. Special teams and short-yardage execution, including Kyren Williams’ two rushing TDs, supplied additional margins that mattered late.
Analysis & Implications
Stafford’s recent stretch of play is the primary driver behind the Rams’ surge. A quarterback posting 20 touchdowns with no interceptions across five games is producing not just points but steady offensive decision-making; that has reduced pressure on Los Angeles’ defense and improved time-of-possession outcomes. His career milestone—joining the 400-career-touchdown group—also underscores sustained production across his career and a late-career boost for the Rams.
For the 49ers, the stat line shows offensive potency but also reveals the fine margins that separate a win from a loss. Mac Jones’ 319 yards and three touchdowns demonstrate an effective passing attack, but the two turnovers and the failed fourth-down attempt shifted expected-value outcomes against them. If San Francisco wants to maintain its playoff trajectory, limiting turnovers and converting in the red zone will be priorities in coming weeks.
The result reshapes short-term divisional dynamics. Los Angeles improving to 7-2 strengthens its standing in the NFC West race and provides wiggle room in the stretch run. San Francisco, now 6-4, remains in contention but must correct situational lapses to avoid sliding in the crowded NFC picture. League-wide, Stafford’s place among career touchdown leaders renews conversation about veteran quarterbacks’ impact on team fortunes.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Rams | 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 42 | 26 |
| Total Yards | 401 | 393 |
| QB (Comp-Att) | Stafford 24-36, 280 yds, 4 TD | Jones 33-39, 319 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Top Receivers | Adams 6-77-1; Nacua 5-64-1 | Kittle 9-84-1; Jennings 6-71-1 |
| Leading Rusher | Kyren Williams 14 car, 73 yds, 2 TD | — |
| Records | 7-2 | 6-4 |
The table isolates the core box-score elements reported: total yardage was nearly even, but the Rams’ touchdown efficiency and turnover differential in key moments created the scoring gap. Stafford’s completion rate and touchdown-to-interception ratio in the game tilts the decision-making metric strongly toward Los Angeles.
Reactions & Quotes
Paraphrased: Stafford credited his teammates and emphasized the importance of sustained execution across both halves.
Rams postgame (team statement, paraphrase)
Paraphrased: San Francisco coaches acknowledged missed opportunities and highlighted the need to reduce turnovers in upcoming games.
49ers postgame (team statement, paraphrase)
Paraphrased: Fans and pundits noted Stafford’s milestone and the Rams’ balanced attack as central themes on social platforms and commentary shows.
Social commentary (media/public reaction, paraphrase)
Unconfirmed
- Some sources reported Stafford’s milestone as his 400th career TD during the game but later updates list him with 402; the precise in-game counting and how milestones were reported differ across outlets.
- Attribution of each forced turnover and the exact defensive personnel responsible for those plays require official play-by-play confirmation and team box-score breakdowns not fully detailed in initial reports.
Bottom Line
The Rams’ 42-26 victory over the 49ers was driven by an efficient passing performance from Matthew Stafford, complementary rushing from Kyren Williams and situational defense that limited San Francisco at critical moments. Stafford’s recent run of form — 20 TDs, no INTs in five games — has been the single most visible factor in Los Angeles’ four-game winning streak and league-leading touchdown totals for the season.
For the 49ers, the game is a reminder that large offensive yardage totals do not guarantee wins when turnovers and failed fourth-down attempts intervene. San Francisco remains competitive in the NFC but must tighten execution to avoid falling behind in a close divisional race. Next steps for both clubs will hinge on turnover control, red-zone efficiency and sustained quarterback play.
Sources
- NBC Sports (media report)
- Los Angeles Rams (official team site)
- San Francisco 49ers (official team site)
- NFL.com (league official)