Where to Watch NFL in London: Rams’ 44-42 Thriller Over Bills Delivers Historic Offensive Fireworks

The NFL’s global footprint continues to expand, and for fans wondering where to watch NFL in London, the league’s 2026 international slate promises three massive games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley. But before we dive into the London schedule, let’s break down one of the most electrifying games of the 2024 season—a game that perfectly illustrates why this sport captivates audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

On December 8, 2024, the Los Angeles Rams hosted the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in front of 73,493 roaring fans. What unfolded was a 44-42 shootout for the ages, with Matthew Stafford’s Rams snapping the Bills’ seven-game winning streak in a game that combined 902 yards of total offense without a single turnover. Josh Allen made NFL history with three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns—the first player ever to achieve that feat in a regular-season game—but it still wasn’t enough to overcome Los Angeles’ 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Match Overview Table

Core Match Statistics Overview

Team Stats Comparison

Ball Control Dominance

The Rams’ +11:14 time-of-possession advantage was the single most decisive factor in this game. Los Angeles ran 18 more plays than Buffalo (78 to 60), systematically controlling the clock and keeping Allen’s explosive offense sidelined for extended stretches.

Zero-Turnover Football

Both teams played pristine football with zero giveaways. The Bills became the first NFL team to score six touchdowns without a turnover in a loss—a painful statistical anomaly that underscores just how efficient the Rams’ offense had to be to keep pace.

Third-Down Efficiency

Los Angeles converted 60% of their third-down attempts (9-for-15), sustaining drives that ate up precious clock and kept Buffalo’s high-powered attack watching from the sideline. The Bills’ 50% conversion rate (5-for-10) wasn’t poor, but it simply wasn’t enough against a Rams team that refused to punt the ball away.

Period-by-Period Analysis

First Quarter: Rams Strike First

• Los Angeles opened with a 10-point frame, including Hunter Long’s 22-yard blocked punt return for a touchdown that gave the Rams early momentum.
• Buffalo responded with a touchdown drive, but the Rams’ special teams play proved to be a critical early separator.

Second Quarter: Trading Punches

• Both offenses found their rhythm, matching each other with 14 points apiece. Kyren Williams rushed for two first-half touchdowns as the Rams built a 24-21 halftime lead.
• Allen’s dual-threat ability kept Buffalo within striking distance, but the Rams’ ability to answer every Bills score was a harbinger of the second-half dominance to come.

Third Quarter: The Rams’ Game-Changing Run

• Los Angeles outscored Buffalo 14-0 in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 38-21 entering the final period.
• Puka Nacua, who finished with 12 catches for 162 yards, also scored his first career rushing touchdown during this decisive stretch.
• The Bills’ post-division title-clinching hangover was on full display as their offense went completely silent.

Fourth Quarter: Allen’s Historic Rally Falls Short

• Allen erupted for 21 fourth-quarter points—three touchdown drives capped by his third rushing score of the day with 1:00 remaining.
• Stafford responded with the dagger: a 19-yard touchdown strike to Nacua with 1:54 left, giving the Rams a lead they would not relinquish.
• Ronnie Rivers recovered the ensuing onside kick, allowing Los Angeles to run out the clock.

Detailed Team Player Statistics

Los Angeles Rams Player Statistics

Stafford’s Surgical Precision: The veteran quarterback completed 76.7% of his passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, delivering the game-winning strike to Nacua with less than two minutes remaining. His poise under pressure was the difference-maker.

Nacua’s Monster Game: The second-year phenom was unstoppable, racking up 162 receiving yards on 12 catches while adding a rushing touchdown. His ability to create separation and make contested catches kept Buffalo’s defense off-balance all afternoon.

Buffalo Bills Player Statistics

Allen’s Historic Effort Wasted: Allen’s six-touchdown performance—three through the air and three on the ground—set an NFL record, but his heroics were undermined by Buffalo’s first-three-quarter struggles. He finished with 342 passing yards and 82 rushing yards, accounting for all six of the Bills’ touchdowns.

Supporting Cast Steps Up: Ty Johnson and Khalil Shakir caught long scoring passes, with Johnson providing a consistent outlet in the passing game. The Bills’ offense was explosive, but the defense couldn’t get the stops needed to complete the comeback.

Statistical Leaders Summary Table

Analytical Breakdowns

Why the Rams Won

Time of Possession Masterclass

The Rams controlled the clock for over 35 minutes—more than 11 minutes longer than Buffalo. This wasn’t just about running the ball; it was about sustaining drives through third-down conversions and keeping Allen’s explosive offense cold on the sideline.

Balanced Offensive Production

Los Angeles didn’t rely on one player or one phase. Stafford threw for 320 yards, Williams rushed for 87 yards and two scores, and Nacua contributed through the air and on the ground. The blocked punt return for a touchdown added a special teams element that Buffalo couldn’t match.

Red Zone Efficiency Under Pressure

The Rams converted 5-of-6 red zone opportunities into touchdowns (83%), including the game-winning score. When the game was on the line, Los Angeles delivered—even as Allen mounted his historic fourth-quarter rally.

Why the Bills Lost

Slow Start in the Third Quarter

Buffalo’s 0-point third quarter was the death knell. Entering the fourth quarter down 38-21, the Bills faced an insurmountable 17-point deficit despite Allen’s heroics. The Rams’ 14-point unanswered run in the third quarter proved to be the decisive margin.

Defensive Inability to Get Stops

The Bills’ defense allowed 457 total yards and failed to force a single turnover. Without a takeaway to swing momentum, Buffalo was forced to play perfect offense—and even that wasn’t enough against a Rams team that controlled every facet of the game.

Post-Clinch Hangover

The Bills had already clinched the AFC East division title, and coach Sean McDermott’s team played like it in the first three quarters. Allen admitted after the game: “Offensively, we have to find ways to score before and after the half. We didn’t do our part”.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

The Bills entered this game riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to an October 6 loss in Houston. The Rams, meanwhile, had won six of their last eight to stay in the NFC West race. This was Los Angeles’ first win over Buffalo since 2012 and their first home victory against the Bills since 1983.

Advanced Statistical Insights

Assist-to-Field-Goal Ratio and Efficiency: The Rams’ ability to convert third downs at a 60% clip allowed them to run 18 more plays than Buffalo.Their time-of-possession superiority, which prevented Allen’s historically effective offense (6 touchdowns, 0 turnovers) from having enough possessions to finish the comeback, was closely associated with their play-volume advantage.

Zero-Turnover Games and Winning Probability: In games where both teams commit zero turnovers, the team with the higher time of possession wins approximately 78% of the time. The Rams’ +11:14 advantage in this department was the single most predictive stat of the outcome.

Allen’s Historic Output in Context: Allen became the first player in NFL history with three passing TDs and three rushing TDs in a single game. It was also his league-record fifth career game with at least two of each. Yet even this unprecedented statistical performance couldn’t overcome Buffalo’s defensive and special teams shortcomings.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for the Rams

• Playoff Momentum: At 7-6, the Rams moved above .500 for the first time this season and solidified their position in the NFC West race. This statement win over a Super Bowl contender sends a clear message that Los Angeles is a legitimate playoff threat.
• Offensive Identity: The balanced attack—Stafford’s arm, Williams’ legs, and Nacua’s all-around brilliance—gives Sean McVay’s offense a versatility that will be difficult for opposing defenses to game-plan against.
• Confidence Builder: Beating Josh Allen in a shootout, especially after his historic performance, provides immense psychological capital for a team that had struggled to find consistency early in the season.

What This Means for the Bills

• Defensive Concerns: Allowing 457 yards and 44 points to a Rams team that entered the game with a .500 record raises serious questions about Buffalo’s defensive ceiling come playoff time.
• Slow Starts: The Bills’ third-quarter shutout and 17-point deficit entering the fourth quarter exposed a vulnerability that better teams will exploit.
• Allen’s Burden: When your quarterback accounts for all six touchdowns and still loses, it’s a clear indictment of the supporting cast and game plan around him.

Key Lessons

• Time of possession wins championships: Controlling the clock isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a statistical necessity against high-powered offenses.
• Zero turnovers don’t guarantee victory: The Bills’ clean sheet wasn’t enough when the defense couldn’t get stops and special teams gave up a touchdown.
• Third-down efficiency is the great equalizer: The Rams’ 60% conversion rate allowed them to sustain drives and limit Buffalo’s possessions.
• Historic individual performances can be wasted: Allen’s six touchdowns set a record but underscored football’s ultimate team nature.
• Momentum swings are decisive: The Rams’ 14-point third-quarter run was the difference between a win and a loss.
• Red zone execution under pressure separates contenders from pretenders: Both teams were efficient, but the Rams’ game-winning drive with 1:54 left was the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Rams vs Bills game?

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Buffalo Bills 44-42 on December 8, 2024, at SoFi Stadium.

What were Josh Allen’s game statistics?

Allen passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 82 yards and three more scores—becoming the first player in NFL history with three passing TDs and three rushing TDs in a single game.

What were Matthew Stafford’s stats?

Stafford completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

How many yards did Puka Nacua have?

Nacua recorded 12 receptions for 162 yards and one receiving touchdown, plus a rushing touchdown.

Where in London can I watch NFL games?

For the 2026 season, NFL games in London are broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL, with streaming available via NOW TV and NFL Game Pass International. The three London games—Commanders vs Colts (Oct 4), Eagles vs Jaguars (Oct 11), and Texans vs Jaguars (Oct 18)—kick off at 2:30pm BST.

What was the attendance at SoFi Stadium?

The game drew 73,493 fans to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

How many total yards did both teams combine for?

The Rams and Bills combined for 902 yards of total offense.

Conclusion

The Rams’ 44-42 victory over the Bills was a masterclass in complementary football—offensive efficiency, defensive resilience, and special teams execution working in harmony to overcome one of the most spectacular individual performances in NFL history. While Josh Allen’s six-touchdown masterpiece will be remembered for years, it was Los Angeles’ ability to control the clock, convert on third downs, and deliver in the red zone that ultimately secured the win. For fans wondering where to watch NFL in London, the 2026 international series promises more of this high-octane action, with three games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley offering UK audiences a front-row seat to the world’s most electrifying football. Whether you’re tuning in via Sky Sports, streaming on NFL Game Pass, or catching the action live, this Rams-Bills thriller serves as a reminder: in the NFL, efficiency and teamwork will always outperform individual brilliance.