SANTA CLARA — In any other match this would have been the beginning of a rout.
Passage. A convincing response to an earlier defeat.
But these are the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.
Specifically, Rams coach Sean McVay and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
Close games are the rule, not the exception.
So the Rams' three-touchdown lead early in the second quarter on Sunday at Levi's Stadium provided little consolation.
The 49ers pulled to within seven points before the Rams pulled within 42-26 A victory that extended their winning streak to four games.
Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns, Kyren Williams threw two touchdowns, linebacker Nate Landman had another fumble and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. intercepted a pass for the second straight game as the Rams improved to 7-2 and 1-1 in the NFC West.
After defeating the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and 49ers, the Rams will play strong when they host the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday in a battle for the NFC West lead at SoFi Stadium.
Stafford continued his MVP-caliber play, throwing touchdown passes to receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and tight ends Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson as the Rams avenged a 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers in Week 5.
Stafford, who completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards, had a league-best 25 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Stafford has thrown 13 touchdowns in his last three games and hasn't intercepted a pass in six games, the longest such stretch of his 17-year career.
Nacua returned from a rib injury that sidelined him for part of the Rams' win over the New Orleans Saints and caught five passes for 64 yards.
Adams, who grew up near the stadium in East Palo Alto, suffered a back injury in the second half and did not return. But the three-time All-Pro caught six passes for 77 yards and continued his outstanding play in the red zone with his sixth touchdown in the last three games. His nine touchdowns lead the NFL.
Williams, who rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time this season against the Saints, gained 73 yards Sunday and Blake Corum added 56.
Landman continued his mastery of knocking the ball out of his opponents' hands. A fumble in the first quarter resulted in a touchdown. And Forbes' interception in the fourth quarter led to the Rams' final touchdown.
The Rams' challenging kicking game also went off without a hitch.
Kicker Harrison Mevis, who replaced Joshua Carty, did not attempt a field goal but made all six extra point attempts in a game that now features veteran long snapper Jake McQuaid.
The Rams also continued their trend of fast starts on Sunday.
They led 21-0 early in the second quarter on Williams' two-yard touchdown run and Stafford's passes to Nacua and Allen.
With about three minutes left in the first half, Mac Jones' six-yard pass to Jauan Jennings cut the lead to 14 points.
The 49ers cut that number to seven early in the third quarter on Brian Robinson Jr.'s one-yard touchdown run. But the Rams responded with a drive that ended with Stafford's 2-yard touchdown pass to Adams.
The 49ers kept the pressure on with a fourth-quarter touchdown catch by tight end Luke Farrell, but Jared Wehrs blocked the extra point attempt, preserving the Rams' eight-point lead.
The Rams responded with Williams' second touchdown pass with about 10 minutes left, and Forbes' interception set up Stafford's 16-yard touchdown pass to Parkinson.
The 49ers added a late 13-yard touchdown run from tight end George Kittle.
Landman, safety Quentin Lake and linebacker Omar Speights each had 11 tackles for the Rams.
