Stafford’s Rams Start Strong to Beat Saints—Contend for Playoffs

INGLEWOOD, CaliforniaWith a 30- 22 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, Dec. 21, Matthew Stafford tossed for 328 yards and two touchdowns, rookie Puka Nacua had nine receptions for a career-high 164 yards and a touchdown, and the Los Angeles Rams moved up in the NFC playoff chase.

The Rams (8-7) won their fifth straight game after Kyren Williams ran for 104 yards and a touchdown. Demarcus Robinson added 82 receiving yards and another touchdown. This is the team’s fifth win in six games and their first since Week 1.

With its second win in five days during a self-described remodeling season, Los Angeles also jumped past Minnesota (7–7) and moved to sixth in the NFC standings in its bid to secure a wild card playoff spot—and an increasingly possible opening-round showdown with the Detroit Lions, Stafford’s team for 12 seasons.

After scoring on six of its first eight possessions, Los Angeles led 30–7 with 12:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, for the second consecutive week, they let their opponent make it interesting.

Derek Carr found receivers Juwan Johnson and A.T. Perry for touchdown throws during the Saints’ next two drives. After a 2-point conversion with 3:53 left, the Rams’ lead was cut to eight points.

Still, Nacua recovered the onside kick, and a pivotal first down on a 9-yard jet sweep helped the Rams win their fourth straight game at home.

Stafford finished his 15th NFL season with yet another fantastic performance. In the Rams’ last five games, he has thrown 14 touchdown passes and one interception; this is just the third time in his career that he has thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game.

Williams, who missed four games at midseason with a sprained ankle, still became the Rams’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Todd Gurley in 2018 with his latest impressive burst. He has six 100-yard performances in his last eight games.

Nacua also had the most productive game in the last two months during his breakout rookie season, while Robinson caught a TD pass in his fourth straight game.

Los Angeles went 95 yards in 14 plays consuming more than half of the first quarter on its opening drive, which ended with a fourth-down TD pass from Stafford to Nacua. New Orleans had allowed just one touchdown in its previous 12 quarters of play.

After Stafford led a 35-second scoring drive that ended with a quick touchdown pass to Robinson in the closing minute, Los Angeles led 17–7 at the half.

On New Orleans’ first drive of the second half, Stafford led another touchdown drive that resulted in three straight runs for 27 yards and a touchdown by Williams to give the Rams a 27–7 lead. Carr’s deep pass was intercepted by Rams defender Jordan Fuller.

When the Saints failed on fourth down in Rams territory, they saw three drives come to a stop. Chris Olave ended with 123 yards and nine receptions.

Up Next

Saints: At Tampa Bay on Dec. 31.

Rams: At the New York Giants on Dec. 31.

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