Everything you need to know as the Bills look to stay red-hot and beat the Rams!
The Buffalo Bills (10-2) have won their last seven games to clinch their fifth-straight AFC East title, but the team still has plenty to play for, beginning on Sunday, when Buffalo travels to take on the Los Angeles Rams (6-6) in a battle of playoff teams from last year.
This week on the Billieve podcast, host John Boccacino gets you ready for the game, previewing the key matchups and players to watch as the Bills look to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Bills have the AFC’s longest winning streak and have scored 30 or more points in six consecutive games, while the Rams are mired in the middle of the pack in the race for an NFC playoff spot. But LA is a sneaky good opponent.
I discuss how quarterback Matthew Stafford directs a dangerous offense that features plenty of short passes to talented wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp; how running back Kyren Williams is a difference-maker who will challenge the Bills’ run defense; why one of the best matchups to watch should be Nacua going up against cornerback Christian Benford; how running backs James Cook and Ray Davis should be able to run at will; why Los Angeles’ physical offensive line will present a tough test for defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones; how head coach Sean McDermott can join an elite group of NFL coaching royalty with a win, and more!
How well the Bills can execute the pass and how well the Rams can defend the pass will play a large role in determining who wins. Coming into this game the Rams rank 22nd in Pass Defense DVOA (+13.2%). They have a nice safety duo in Kam Curl and Quentin Lake, but they fare better closer to the line of scrimmage than when lined up deep. Slot receiver Khalil Shakir should be able to take advantage and do damage over the middle. On the outside, Cobie Durant and Darious Williams are liabilities. Look for wide receiver Amari Cooper, Mack Hollins and, if he is cleared to return, Keon Coleman to feast on the boundary.
The strength of the Rams’ defense is in the trenches, where youngsters like defensive ends Byron Young and Jared Verse and defensive tackles Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner each have at least 4.5+ sacks. This will be another strong test for a Buffalo offensive line that has played well this year. Josh Allen has been sacked only 13 times this year (3.52% of drop backs).
The Bills should be able to run at will on the Rams, who have given up 4.6 yards per attempt, good for 21st in the NFL. If the Rams bring a ton of pressure, which they probably will, look for Allen to exploit that by taking off and scampering for valuable yards on the ground.
Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin form one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, and are built to slow down potent pass offenses like the Rams. Nacua is a physical matchup nightmare for any defensive back, and Kupp is an elite route runner. One way to help is to get after Stafford, who has been pressured on 23.3% of drop backs and sacked 28 times.
The Rams offensive line has been inconsistent and their weakest link is center with Bo Limmer, a 2024 sixth-rounder. Look for defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones to attack Limmer, and perhaps we’ll see more blitzes from linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard. Running back Kyren Williams is a handful as a runner and pass catcher, though Buffalo’s defense has specialized in bending but not breaking. If the Bills can ground Williams, it could be an easy win for Buffalo.
I also run through a few Bills and Rams players to watch, break down a few keys to victory and close by offering up score predictions as the Bills look to extend their win streak to eight games. How do you see this game playing out? Feel free to leave your predictions in the comments section below.
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