The MVP rumors surrounding Matthew Stafford are getting louder.
The Rams' quarterback threw four touchdowns without a turnover Sunday to lead Los Angeles to a 42-26 win in the NFC North decider against the San Francisco 49ers.
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With the win, the Rams improved to 7–2 with a 1 1/2 game lead over the current 6–4 49ers in the NFC West. And that will lead to a battle for first place in the division next week against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Rams look like Super Bowl contenders, and they have Stafford to thank for much of that.
Stafford entered Sunday leading the NFL in touchdown passes (21) and yards per game (268.4). He added to both numbers, completing 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and his four passing scores.
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His efforts led the Rams to halftime with a 21-7 lead. And when the 49ers began to apply pressure after halftime, Stafford and the Los Angeles offense kept their foot on the gas to ensure San Francisco didn't threaten their lead.
For a moment, Sunday's game looked like a runaway victory for the Rams as they opened the game with three touchdowns on three possessions. Kyren Williams got the scoreboard first with a rushing touchdown on his first pass. Stafford then found Puka Nacua on a screen for a 22-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
For his second touchdown of the day, Stafford, under pressure from tight end Davis Allen, bought time to get open in the back of the end zone. He then made a pinpoint pass down the sideline out of reach of the 49ers defenders to give Allen a 21-0 lead early in the first quarter.
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But the 49ers didn't give up.
They scored a touchdown late in the first half and then opened the second with a scoring pass from Mac Jones to Luke Farrell, cutting the Rams' lead to 21-7.
But the Rams responded with a 64-yard run that ended with a Stafford pass to Davante Adams. When the 49ers scored again, the 49ers responded with another touchdown, capped by Williams' second score of the day.
And Stafford iced the game in the fourth quarter with a 16-yard pass to Colby Parkinson for a 42-20 lead late in the fourth quarter.
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It was something of an attempt by Stafford to spark MVP talk in an open race during the first 10 weeks of the season. Stafford made light work of San Francisco's defense for a big lead in the game and then played a major role down the stretch as the 49ers applied pressure in the second half. And the Rams scored a decisive victory over their division rival.
