**Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams Lead Rams to 34-10 Victory Over Saints**
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford threw for 281 yards and connected with Davante Adams on two of his four touchdown passes as the Los Angeles Rams rolled to a 34-10 victory over the struggling New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Puka Nacua made a strong return from an ankle injury, hauling in seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The star receiver briefly left the game in the second half due to a chest injury but returned to the Rams’ sideline. Tyler Higbee also contributed a touchdown catch, while Kyren Williams rushed for 114 yards and added another score for the Rams (6-2), who bounced back from their bye week with 438 total yards in their third consecutive win.
Los Angeles’ defense was equally impressive, limiting the Saints to just 224 yards. Over the past three games, the Rams’ opponents have combined for only 20 points.
The Saints (1-8) started second-round pick Tyler Shough at quarterback in his first NFL start. Shough completed 15 of 24 passes for 176 yards and threw his first career touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson just seven seconds before halftime. However, New Orleans remains mired in their second four-game losing streak of the season.
Stafford continued his outstanding performance in his 17th NFL season and 230th start, completing 24 of 32 passes. This marked the 19th time in his career he has thrown at least four touchdown passes in a game. Over the last five games, he has accumulated 1,408 yards and 16 touchdowns without an interception.
Nacua missed the Rams’ previous game, a blowout win over Jacksonville in London, but returned in style with multiple key receptions. His highlight came in the second quarter with a spectacular 39-yard touchdown grab in tight coverage off an impressive throw from Stafford. Nacua also surpassed former Saints star Michael Thomas for the most catches by a player in his first 35 regular-season games in NFL history.
Adams’ two touchdown receptions brought his career total to 111, tying him with Tony Gonzalez for eighth place on the NFL’s all-time list. Williams recorded the Rams’ first 100-yard rushing game of the season and scored on a dive with 12:40 remaining.
The scoring started early with Higbee’s 26th career touchdown catch, capping a perfect opening drive where Stafford went 8-for-8. After the touchdown, Higbee celebrated with a Dragon Ball-inspired move, a nod to the Los Angeles Dodgers who had just won their second straight World Series title on Saturday.
Adams added a three-yard slant touchdown, his seventh of the season, on the Rams’ third drive. Los Angeles held a commanding 20-3 lead when Saints kicker Joshua Karty missed a 39-yard field goal attempt, marking his fifth miss or blocked kick of the season along with three unsuccessful extra points.
Shough finally got the Saints moving with a quick 71-yard drive in 47 seconds, culminating in Johnson’s 11-yard touchdown reception. But the Rams answered with a long touchdown drive following halftime, ending with Adams’ second score of the game.
Nacua suffered an injury on a jet sweep, one play prior to Adams’ second touchdown catch.
**Up Next:**
– Saints: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday
– Rams: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday