SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Los Angeles Rams’ 12-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night moved them closer to the top of the NFC West and a playoff spot.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Rams entered the game with a 35% chance of making the playoffs and a 32% chance of winning the division. Those numbers increased significantly after the win: The Rams’ playoff chances are now at 52% and 49%, respectively, entering the weekend.

And perhaps most importantly, with three games to go, the Rams continue to control their own destiny. The Rams finish their season at the New York Jets and are home to the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams have made the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons under head coach Sean McVay, including a trip to Super Bowl LIII and a victory in Super Bowl LVI.

At 8-6, the Rams are now half a game behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks.

But if the Rams want to make the playoffs, it will require some consistency from their offense, an area that has been difficult this season.

Just four days after posting a season-high 44 points against the Buffalo Bills — a team that had already won its division — Los Angeles struggled to move the ball on a rainy night.

In the first half, the Rams had 89 total yards of offense, which is a season low. They clinched the win in the second half, gaining 302 yards.

QB collapse: Quarterback Matthew Stafford entered Thursday with four straight games with multiple passing touchdowns and no interceptions, tied for the longest active streak in the NFL and the longest streak of his career. He didn’t continue that streak Thursday night, completing 16 of 27 passes for 160 yards in a game with no touchdowns on either side.

Stunning statistics: According to ESPN Research, the Rams failed to gain a first down on their first four offensive drives for the first time since signing Sean McVay in 2017. A week after scoring a season-high 44 points, Los Angeles finished the game with just 14 first downs.

Describe the game in two words: Slow start. Against the 49ers on Thursday night, the Rams failed to score in the first quarter for the ninth time this season. According to ESPN Research, he is tied with the Bears for second in the NFL. In the extremely wet conditions, they were unable to maintain a consistent run or get the ball to the wide receivers in space, which put additional pressure on the defense. — Sarah Barshop

Next game: on Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 22)

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Over the past five years, whenever the 49ers have needed a rousing win to clinch a postseason appearance, they’ve often earned it against the Rams.

On paper, Thursday night was perfect for the Niners to write another successful chapter in their rivalry with Los Angeles and breathe life into their burgeoning playoff hopes. The return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive end Nick Bosa from injury appeared to be an added spark for a team that has spoken repeatedly over the past two weeks about the desperation it will take to make a postseason push .

As was the story of San Francisco’s season, none of that was enough. For a team that has won many old-fashioned NFC West brawls, Thursday’s loss made it clear that the Niners are no longer the kings of the division.

Although it was only three points, it was the fourth time this year that the Niners blew a lead of three or more points in the fourth quarter against an NFC West opponent. In doing so, they become the first team to do so since the New England Patriots in 2000, effectively ending their hopes of a third straight title and a playoff berth.

Sure, there are remote mathematical ways the Niners can still sneak in, but at 6-8 overall and 1-4 in the division, they should win. Considering they haven’t won more than two games in a row this year, it’s hard to believe that’s even possible.

The next four weeks should only reveal more about where the Niners are headed in 2025.

PRomantic trend: In a tight, low-scoring game like Thursday’s, special teams should play a prominent role in the outcome. While the Niners entered this game ranked 32nd in the league in expected points scored on special teams, no finger could be pointed at this unit against the Rams.

Kicker Jake Moody made his field goal attempts, punter Pat O’Donnell was solid and punt returner Jacob Cowing averaged 10.2 yards per return. It wasn’t a perfect performance (they had two 5-yard penalties on punts), but the Niners generally didn’t have any major errors in the third period. That’s enough to qualify.

QB breakdown: Brock Purdy had a solid performance for the most part, even though the rain didn’t do him any favors, but the decision to throw deep, which resulted in an interception, was the biggest mistake of the game.

Although Purdy has struggled with poor weather conditions in other games, his numbers on Thursday should have been better than they were. Receivers Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel Sr. combined for several drops, including a potential touchdown for Samuel diagonally over the middle in the third quarter. Purdy finished 14 of 31 for 142 yards with one interception.

Key game: With just over five minutes left, the Niners faced second-and-10 on the Rams’ 33rd play. Since Moody had already converted two long field goals, that was field goal range.

But quarterback Purdy lost sight of the situation and tried to force a deep ball to pass Jennings deep down the right sideline. Rams cornerback Darious Williams made it to the end zone for a touchback that ended the drive. – Nick Wagoner

Next game: at Dolphins (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 22)