Rams edge Bills 44-42 despite Josh Allen's historic performance

Field Level Media|published: Sun 8th December, 23:27 2024

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) scores on a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Puka Nacua finished with 178 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns, and the Los Angeles Rams held on for a 44-42 win over the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday despite Josh Allen's record-setting six-touchdown performance.

Nacua caught 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, and he rushed for 16 yards and another score for Los Angeles (7-6). Kyren Williams added 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and Cooper Kupp finished with five catches for 92 yards and a score.

Allen became the first player in NFL history to pass for three touchdowns and rush for three touchdowns in a single game for Buffalo (10-3). Allen completed 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, and he carried the ball 10 times for 82 yards and three touchdowns.

Matthew Stafford completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams, who have won two games in a row and three of their past four.

The teams accounted for 902 total yards in addition to teaming up for 86 points. The Rams outgained the Bills 457-445.

Buffalo trailed 38-21 at the end of the third quarter before trying to make a late rally.

Allen cut the deficit to 38-28 with 14:27 remaining on his second of three touchdown runs, all of which came from 1 yard.

The Bills pulled within 38-35 with 8:49 to play when Allen connected with Mack Hollins for a 21-yard touchdown. The score finished a 10-play, 91-yard drive.

Los Angeles increased its lead to 44-35 when Stafford hit Nacua for a 19-yard touchdown with 1:54 left. It was the second touchdown of the day for Nacua, who rushed for a 4-yard TD late in the first half.

Allen trimmed Buffalo's deficit to 44-42 with one minute to go. His teammates pushed him across the goal line for his third rushing touchdown and his sixth TD overall.

Los Angeles recovered Buffalo's onside kick moments later and ran out the clock.

The Rams built a 24-14 lead at the half. Williams and Nacua each rushed for a score, and Hunter Long scooped a blocked punt and returned it for another Rams touchdown.

Allen rushed for one touchdown in the first half and Ty Johnson had a 41-yard touchdown catch.

--Field Level Media

Latest