The Los Angeles Rams stared at their largest deficit in more than two months late in the first half Sunday and knew they needed a spark: fast.
Matthew Stafford provided it.
After falling behind by 10 points with 30 seconds remaining before halftime, Stafford led a quick field-goal drive to close the gap. That small swing ignited a dominant second half, as the Rams surged past the Detroit Lions 41-34 to become the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season.
Stafford threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns to Colby Parkinson, while Kyren Williams rushed for two scores and rookie Blake Corum added another as the Rams improved to 11-3. Los Angeles scored 20 unanswered points during a decisive stretch and captured its eighth win in nine games.
Puka Nacua powered the passing attack with nine catches for 181 yards, and the Rams earned a postseason spot for the third straight year and the seventh time in Sean McVay’s nine seasons.
Detroit controlled much of the first half, building a 24-14 lead while averaging 8.5 yards per play. Aidan Hutchinson set up the Lions’ opening touchdown with a 58-yard interception return, and Amon-Ra St. Brown torched his hometown team with two first-half scores. Jameson Williams added a 31-yard touchdown catch just before halftime to give Detroit its first double-digit lead since Week 5.
Los Angeles responded immediately after the break. Field goals on either side of halftime steadied the Rams before Stafford took over. Parkinson hauled in a 26-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to put the Rams back in front, and Los Angeles never trailed again.
The Rams defense forced a punt, and Stafford needed just two plays to move 50 yards, with Nacua’s 39-yard catch setting up Corum’s touchdown run. Williams added rushing touchdowns on consecutive drives, and Stafford capped the rally with an 11-yard scoring pass to Parkinson in the fourth quarter.
Despite losing Davante Adams to a hamstring injury and seeing Nacua briefly exit with cramps, Los Angeles controlled the second half, limiting Detroit to 125 yards after intermission. The Lions pulled within seven on a late touchdown by David Montgomery, but the Rams converted a key first down to run out the clock.
Jared Goff passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns for Detroit, while St. Brown finished with 13 receptions for 163 yards and two scores. The loss dropped the Lions to 8-6 and tightened the NFC playoff race.
Injuries
Lions: CB Amik Robertson injured his hand in the second half and did not return.
Rams: WR Davante Adams exited with a hamstring injury. WR Puka Nacua left briefly with cramps but returned.
Up Next
*Lions: Host Pittsburgh next Sunday.
Rams: Visit Seattle on Thursday night with the NFC lead on the line.*
