The Rams beat the 49ers to extend their winning streak to four games

santa clara – In any other game, it would be building a path.

A walkover. A satisfactory response to the previous defeat.

But it’s the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.

Specifically, Rams coach Sean McVay and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.

Close games are the rule, not the exception.

So the Rams’ three-touchdown lead early in the second quarter Sunday at Levi’s Stadium was nothing to be comfortable with.

The 49ers got within seven points before the Rams pulled away for a 42-26 victory that extended their winning streak to four games.

Matthew Stafford passed for four touchdowns, Karin Williams ran for two, linebacker Nate Landman forced another fumble and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. intercepted a pass for the second straight game as the Rams improved to 7-2 and 1-1 in the NFC West.

After losses to the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and 49ers, the Rams will be playing with confidence when they host the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday at SoFi Stadium in a battle for the NFC West lead.

Stafford continued his MVP-level play, tossing touchdown passes to receivers Puca Naqua and DeVante Adams and tight ends Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson as the Rams overturned their 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers in Week 5.

Stafford, who completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards, passed for a league-best 25 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Stafford has passed for 13 touchdowns in the last three games and hasn’t caught a pass in six games, the longest stretch of his 17-year career.

Naqua returned from a back injury that sidelined him for part of the Rams’ win over the New Orleans Saints and caught five passes for 64 yards.

Adams, who grew up not far from the stadium in East Palo Alto, suffered a back injury in the second half and did not return. But the three-time All-Pro caught six passes for 77 yards and continued his excellent play in the red zone with his sixth touchdown in the past three games. His nine touchdown catches lead the NFL.

Williams, who rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time this season against the Saints, had 73 on Sunday, Blake Corrum added 56.

Lindemann continued his mastery of hitting the ball out of opponents’ grasps. A first-quarter fumble forced him that led to a touchdown. And Forbes’ fourth-quarter interception led to the Rams’ final touchdown.

The struggling Rams also played an error-free game.

Kicker Harrison Mewis, who replaced Joshua Carty, did not attempt a field goal, but made all six extra point attempts in a kicking operation that now included veteran long snapper Jake McQuaid.

The Rams continued their fast start trend on Sunday.

They took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter on Williams’ two-yard touchdown run and Stafford’s touchdown pass to Niqua and Allen.

With about three minutes left in the first half, Mack Jones’ six-yard touchdown pass to Juan Jennings cut the lead to 14 points.

The 49ers cut it to seven early in the third quarter on Brian Robinson Jr.’s one-yard touchdown run. But the Rams answered with a drive that ended with Stafford’s two-yard touchdown pass to Adams.

The 49ers kept the pressure on with a fourth-quarter touchdown catch by Luke Farrell, but Jared Vries blocked the extra point attempt to keep the Rams’ eight-point lead.

The Rams answered with Williams’ second touchdown with about 10 minutes remaining, and Forbes’ interception set up Stafford’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Parkinson.

The 49ers added a 13-yard touchdown run by tight end George Kettle.

Landman, safety Quentin Lake and linebacker Omar Speights each had 11 tackles for the Rams.