A Slew of Scoring as Los Angeles Rams Edge Buffalo Bills 44-42
The Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills played a thrilling game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, with the Rams emerging victorious 44-42. The win boosts the Rams’ chances in the tight NFC West race, improving their record to 7-6, while the Bills, now 10-3, have hurt their chances at the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
The game’s high-octane offenses got off to a fast start, with the Rams scoring first on a 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams. The Bills responded with a nine-play, 70-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard quarterback sneak by Josh Allen to tie the game 7-7.
The Rams regained the lead with a field goal, and a blocked punt return for a touchdown by Hunter Long put the Rams up 17-7. Despite Josh Allen’s best efforts, the Rams never trailed again, thanks in part to the performances of quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Puka Nacua, who had a game-high 162 yards on 12 receptions with a touchdown.
Nacua’s efforts helped the Rams keep pace with Allen’s scoring, and a failed quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter eliminated the possibility of an onside kick. The Rams held on for the victory, securing the win and leaving the Bills’ hopes for the number one seed in the AFC in doubt.
In the loss, Allen threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 82 yards on 10 carries, while Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Mack Hollins, and Ty Johnson all had notable receiving performances for the Bills. For the Rams, Kyren Williams rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns, and Coop Kupp accounted for 92 yards and a touchdown receiving.