NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams return to SoFi Stadium this Sunday to take on the Buffalo Bills. The Rams will look to continue their momentum and keep pace in the NFC West following their 21-14 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Bills have won 7 straight following their 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
In their victory over the Saints, the Rams offense used a well-balanced game plan that kept the Saints defense honest. The offense ran 53 plays, with 29 rushing attempts and 24 pass attempts. Rams head coach Sean McVay will look to use a similar approach against the Bills defense. If the Rams use a balanced attack, the Bills defense will not be able to pin their ears back and bring constant pressure on Matthew Stafford. Throughout the season, the Rams offensive line has struggled with pass protection, especially when McVay gets away from the running game.
Against the Saints, Stafford completed 14-24 passes for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns. Though the Rams offensive line allowed 2 sacks, the balanced attack forced the Saints defense to stay honest, which allowed Stafford time to find receivers downfield in the Rams passing attack.
Paku Nacua led the Rams receivers with 5 receptions for 56 yards and 1 touchdown. Cooper Kupp had a relatively quiet game against the Saints, with 3 receptions for 17 yards. Of his 14 completions, Stafford completed passes to 8 different receivers. The Bills secondary will look to limit the productivity of both Nacua and Kupp. Look for Stafford to get Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and TE Colby Parkinson in the Rams passing game.
Kyren Williams led the Rams running attack with 104 yards on 15 carries and 1 touchdown. On the season, Williams has rushed for 926 yards with 10 touchdowns. The Rams will look to get Williams and their running game established early in the game. Backup RB Blake Corum some more action in the Rams backfield, accounting for 42 yards on 8 carries. The Rams were given a good look at a 1-2 punch in their running game with Corum more involved. Look for Corum to see his involvement in the running continue to grow against the Bills defense.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is having an MVP-caliber season. On the season, Allen has passed for 2691 yards with 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Allen is also a threat to run the ball, rushing for 334 yards and 6 touchdowns. With Allen’s running threat, the Rams defense will look to place a spy on Allen. Rams edge rushers Jared Verse and Byron Young will look to set the edge and prevent Allen from escaping to the outside of the pocket. Rookie defensive lineman Braden Fiske will look to collapse the pocket and bring pressure up the middle along with Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown III.
Khalil Shakir leads the Bills receives with 60 receptions. Shakir has been Allen’s top target this season. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will look to devise a pass coverage scheme that will limit Shakir’s productivity. The Rams secondary cannot sleep on WR Amari Cooper, or he will put up huge numbers. TE Dalton Kincaid should be expected to be a factor in the Bills passing game. On the season, Kincaid has 34 receptions with 2 touchdowns.
James Cook leads the Bills running attack. Cooks has rushed for 703 yards with 11 touchdowns. Ray Davis has rushed for 342 yards with 3 touchdowns while serving as the backup to Cook. With a Rams defense that gives up an average of 144 rushing yards per game, look for the Bills to go to the running game early and often. With an establish running game, the Bills will go to their play action passing attack and look to attack the Rams downfield.
The Rams are looking to make it two straight wins and keep pace in the NFC West and the Bills will look to make it 8 straight wins as they continue their drive to the AFC East title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Look for the Bills to make it 8 straight as the Rams fall further behind in the race for the NFC West title.
