The Los Angeles Rams made enough plays to thwart the playoff-bound Buffalo Bills 44-42. The Los Angeles offense went 11-15 on their third down conversions and converted one fourth down. The Rams only punted the ball away once.
A highlight of the game was when linebacker Jacob Hummel blocked a punt for tight end Hunter Long to run the ball in for a touchdown.
The LA Rams held the Buffalo Bills to 15 rushing yards in the first half
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) December 8, 2024
“Really good football team. Offensively, those guys, what those guys have been doing is very impressive,” said Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp about the Bills. “We needed everything, everything we had as a team today.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had 320 passing yards for two touchdowns.
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“Our offensive line did an excellent job for us to be able to maintain possession the way that we did,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “Our defense got enough stops. Obviously, the punt block for a touchdown was huge.”
During halftime of the Rams vs Bulls game, the Watts and Lincoln Rams youth teams joined together to compete against Rampage and his team of mascots pic.twitter.com/O59XH8DpHh
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) December 8, 2024
Running back Kyren Williams made 29 carries for 87 yards. With his first touchdown of the game, Williams surpassed Eric Dickerson in most touchdowns scored in 25 career starts. Williams currently has 1,013 rushing yards this season.
“Each and every year when I play football, that’s a goal of mine, 1000 yards,” Williams said. “I feel like if I don’t get that then I don’t feel like I was good enough.”
After scoring the touchdown, Williams handed the ball to offensive lineman Steve Avila for him to spike. Avila had been out for several weeks, recovering from surgery on his MCL. He noted how this was his first injury that deprived him of playing time.
“That was one of the things that I did miss while I was hurt, just celebrating touchdowns and knowing that you did something to contribute to the team,” Avila said. “It was good to get that spike back in.”
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua had 162 reception yards and scored on both a catch and a run. McVay called him an “igniter” for his ability to make plays.
“I just try to make the plays when it’s called my way,” Nacua said. “[Stafford] does a great job of orchestrating our offense and being able to understand where everybody’s at.”
Throughout the NFL, this week was the My Cause My Cleats campaign game. Linebacker Omar Speights brought awareness to Project Fatherhood, a nonprofit that provides resources to fathers to help them support their children. Having a daughter inspired Speights to support the organization.
“I just know how important it is for young kids to have a father figure in their lives and one who is leading the right way,” Speights said. “Project Fatherhood has resources and different things to [help other fathers]. If you’re going through stuff as a father or if you’re trying to better yourself as a father, [they can help].”
Nacua was one of several players who chose to represent AxeALS. Former Rams player and San Pedro native Eric Stevens founded the organization. Rams running back coach Ron Gould used to coach Stevens.
“To be able to support [Gould], the AxeALS Foundation was a huge honor. I was able to meet [Stevens],” Nacua said. “My uncle is battling ALS right now, it was close to home for me.”
The Rams face a short week, battling the San Francisco 49ers away on Thursday December 12 at 5:15P.M.
