Rams beat 49ers on 'TNF' despite rough night offensively

It may not have been impressive, but the Rams won on Thursday night, beating the 49ers, 12-6, despite a rough night offensively.

Matthew Stafford completed only 16-of-27 passes for 160 yards — his lowest yardage output since Oct. 20 and second-lowest of the season. Seven of Stafford's completions and 97 yards went to Puka Nacua. 

Kyren Williams provided the Rams 108 yards on the ground, but it took him 29 carries to barely exceed 100 yards. But fortunately for Los Angeles, the train wreck that has been this season's 49ers showed up on a national stage.

Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp was targeted three times, but failed to make a single catch.  

The Rams also got four field goals from kicker Joshua Karty. 

While Stafford's numbers may look pedestrian, especially for a quarterback with nine seasons with over 4,000 yards through the air, Brock Purdy endured an even worse night. Purdy completed only 45.2% of his passes for just 142 yards and an interception. 

Those who don't buy the Rams as a legitimate contender will argue they only won because of the issues of their depleted opponent. And that might be true, but Los Angeles has now won three games in a row, including a big 44-42 statement victory against the Bills. 

The Rams' 12 points stands as their lowest output in a win as well as their second lowest point total in a game this season. But Stafford and the offense have proved themselves enough to argue this game was just an aberration and won't become the norm. 

On the bright side, Los Angeles' defense returned to form and showed it can do its part. The Rams held San Francisco to just two field goals, equaling its best defensive performance of the season. They sacked Purdy three times, and Darious Williams made his first pick of the season. 

The Rams are in the thick of the NFC West race at 8-6. If Seattle loses to Green Bay on Sunday night, Los Angeles will move in the top spot in the division thanks to a head-to-head victory from back in early November. The two teams will duke it out in the regular-season finale, a matchup that could decide the division winner. 

Despite being far from a perfect team, Los Angeles just keeps finding ways to win. If the offense falters, the defense steps up. And dating back to the week before, if the defense struggles, the offense can take over a game as well.