The Los Angeles Rams prove they can win ugly.
The LA Rams continue their remarkable resurgence, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 on Thursday night.
In a soggy and gritty contest – which had no touchdowns – the Rams earned their third consecutive victory, improving to 8-6 and sweeping the 49ers for the first time since 2018.
The game was a testament to the Rams’ resilience and quarterback Matthew Stafford’s ability to thrive under pressure. Stafford, now 10-1 in December games since joining Los Angeles, emphasised the team’s focus on execution, particularly in the second half.
“It was going to have to be one of those games,” Stafford said after the win. “We knew it would come down to executing in tough conditions, and I thought we did a great job.”
The Rams struggled early, punting on their first five possessions before managing a field goal late in the second quarter. Rain complicated matters in the first half, but as the skies cleared, Los Angeles found their rhythm.
They dominated time of possession in the second half, holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes compared to San Francisco’s 10.
Where the game was won
One of the game’s biggest plays came in the fourth quarter when Stafford connected with wide receiver Puka Nacua for a 51-yard gain. The play helped set up yet another field goal.
Another play I highly advise watching online is a crushing block by guard Kevin Doston, clearing the way for Nacua to pick up extra yards
Also crucial to the win was cornerback Darious Williams’ fourth-quarter interception, which set up a clock-draining drive. Running back Kyren Williams and Stafford delivered steady plays to bleed the clock and limit the 49ers’ chances.
While head coach Sean McVay praised his team’s toughness, he admitted there were missed opportunities in the red zone.
“We would have loved to finish with touchdowns,” McVay said. “But the consistency on early downs and the ability to close out the game were big positives.”
This win caps a five-day stretch in which the Rams scored 56 points across two games – admittedly 44 were against Buffalo.
More importantly, it cements their status as a team capable of winning in different ways. For Los Angeles, the ugly ones count just as much.
Story originally by former writer Stuart Warren.
