Josh Allen-Matthew Stafford Duel Amazes NFL Fans as Rams Beat Bills Amid Playoff Race

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 9, 2024

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams talks with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills before a game at SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Harry How/Getty Images

Two of the NFL's top quarterbacks went back and forth on Sunday afternoon.

At the end of a hard-fought battle, Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams emerged victorious over Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills by the final score of 44-42.

NFL @NFL
Every TD from the 12-touchdown game between the Bills and Rams! <a href="https://t.co/yuPdB7aOB2">pic.twitter.com/yuPdB7aOB2</a>

NFL @NFL
86 points 902 total yards 12 total TDs Insanity 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/tzhYejL7U1">pic.twitter.com/tzhYejL7U1</a>

Stafford was able to thrive in a relatively clean pocket during the game, finishing 23-of-30 for 320 yards and two touchdowns without getting picked off.

His screen pass to Puka Nacua late in the fourth quarter gave the Rams a two-score lead that they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game.

NFL @NFL
PUKA TAKES IT TO THE 🏠 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BUFvsLAR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BUFvsLAR</a> on FOX 📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/e8RHZh8Rrw">pic.twitter.com/e8RHZh8Rrw</a>

Stafford's top target was Nacua, who caught 12 passes for 162 yards and made several impressive grabs throughout the victory.

NFL @NFL
PUKA NACUA! 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BUFvsLAR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BUFvsLAR</a> on FOX 📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/yHduh0KtRG">pic.twitter.com/yHduh0KtRG</a>

The Rams have now won six of their past eight games, putting themselves back in the NFC playoff picture.

Fans were impressed with Stafford's performance.

Coach Jason Brown @TheRealCoach_JB
Matthew Stafford is the best Qb in football stop arguing with me

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Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
When Matt Stafford, best pure thrower in football, gets HOT, it's over.

Bridget Condon @BridgetCondon_
I fear we don't talk enough about how talented Matthew Stafford is

Max Toscano @maxtoscano1
Remember when all the film people said "just put Matthew Stafford in a functional situation and see what happens?" This is why

Steve Palazzolo @StevePalazzolo_
Tough to stop the Rams when elite Stafford shows up

Colin Cowherd @colincowherd
Rams have played almost flawless football. Best performance in a couple seasons. Matt Stafford is tearing Bills secondary apart.

Nolan Bianchi @nolanbianchi
Matthew Stafford is absolutely slinging it today

Buffalo trailed 31-14 in the third quarter, but the Bills was able to cut into the lead due to the heroics of Allen.

Allen finished 22-of-37 for 342 yards and three touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He also picked up a team-high 82 rush yards and three more scores on the ground.

NFL Research @NFLPlus
Josh Allen is the first player in NFL history with 3 pass TD & 3 rush TD in a single game <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BuffaloBills</a>

Buffalo Bills PR @BuffaloBillsPR
Today marks Josh Allen's 10th career game with 300+ passing yards & 50+ rushing yards, extending his NFL record.

The 28-year-old spread the ball around, completing passes to seven different receivers.

The Bills cut the deficit to three points with roughly eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but their defense couldn't contain Los Angeles.

Fans were still in awe of Allen's efficient game, though.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Josh Allen was UNREAL vs. Rams 😱 22/37 342 YDS 3 TD 82 RUSH YDS 3 RUSH TD FIRST PLAYER IN NFL HISTORY WITH 3 PASS TD AND 3 RUSH TD IN A GAME 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/bKz0CIux6G">pic.twitter.com/bKz0CIux6G</a>

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JOSH ALLEN HAS 5 TDS AND LEADS THE BILLS IN RUSH YDS 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/QORsm405na">pic.twitter.com/QORsm405na</a>

Colin Cowherd @colincowherd
Josh Allen is just ridiculous. Carrying a franchise today.

Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
ONCE AGAIN: WHAT A THROW BY JOSH ALLEN, MAKING HIS MVP CASE.

The 33rd Team @The33rdTeamFB
Josh Allen has the most TDs since the start of last season (75) The next closest players and their tallies ⬇️ 67 61 60 58 x2 52 50 47 🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a> <a href="https://t.co/qQjj9Wyx0W">pic.twitter.com/qQjj9Wyx0W</a> <a href="https://t.co/OiVzXVtIxQ">https://t.co/OiVzXVtIxQ</a>

Adam Schein @AdamSchein
Can't spell Josh Allen without M-V-P

Ben DiNucci @B_DiNucci6
No QB playing better than Josh Allen right now. It's so fun to watch.

Wendell Ferreira @wendellfp
Josh Allen is the best player in football right now.

The loss dropped the Bills to 10-3 on the season as a whole, although they still hold a comfortable lead atop the AFC East standings.

As for the Rams, they improved to 7-6 and are now one game behind the Washington Commanders for the final playoff spot in the NFC.

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