As is customary, the new NFL season kicked off with a game involving the defending champions on Thursday night. A duel at SoFi Stadium that pitted the 2021 champions, the Rams, against the team that is considered the favorite to win the Super Bowl this year, the Buffalo Bills.
Posted yesterday at 11:35 p.m.
And the Bills showed why there’s so much optimism about them with an easy 31-10 victory. With the exception of the second quarter, Josh Allen and the Bills were never worried.
Allen completed his first 10 passes and allowed the Bills to score a touchdown on their first series, a 26-yard catch from Gabriel Davis. Sat 11e pass was intercepted, however, as Terrell Lewis snatched the ball from receiver Isaiah McKenzie. The quarterback had nothing to reproach himself for in this game.
The Bills suffered two more turnovers before the end of the first half, which led to 10 points from the Rams. Cooper Kupp scored a superb touchdown by managing to keep both feet in the end zone, a 4-yard play, then on the last play of the first half Matt Gay tied the game at 10-10 with a field goal of 57 yards.
That’s the closest the Rams would come. From the third quarter, they were dominated on both sides of the ball.
The Bills scored a touchdown on each of their first three possessions of the second half to make it 31-10. The Rams looked like they were playing another preseason game.
For a club celebrating their championship for the last time in front of their fans, let’s say the Rams didn’t play with much conviction. The downside of these huge new stadiums is that home advantage is often lost as there are always plenty of visiting fans. We’ll come back for the atmosphere.
Allen and the Bills offense played as they had in their two playoff games last January. With the exception of the three that ended in turnovers, they’ve scored in all of their offensive streaks. Their punter didn’t even have to cross the white lines.
In perfect control throughout the game, Allen completed 26 of 31 passes for 297 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Apart from his second interception, Allen gave a flawless performance and it won’t be the last. A special player.
Head coach Sean McDermott, however, will have to assess whether it’s too risky for Allen to run the ball so often, he who led the Bills with 56 yards on 10 carries. He rarely avoids contact and was hit hard a few times Thursday night. An injury happened so quickly.
PHOTO MARK J. TERRILL, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cooper Kupp
Kupp and who else?
The fourth receiver in history to lead the league in catches, passing yards and touchdowns in 2021, Kupp had another strong curtain-raising game with 13 catches for 128 yards and his touchdown.
The problem for the Rams is that no other of their receivers have stood out. Obtained on the free agent market, Allen Robinson II caught only one pass and tight end Tyler Higbee was second with 39 yards. The Bills secondary, however, was playing without her best cornerback, Tre’Davious White, and called on several inexperienced players. The Rams were unable to take advantage of it.
PHOTO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Von Miller celebrates after his team’s victory on Thursday.
Matthew Stafford was the victim of 3 interceptions and 7 sacks, including 2 from Von Miller, who was making a return to Los Angeles. A Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos in 2014 and with the Rams last season, Miller hopes to become the first player in history to win it with three different teams.
The Bills are hoping Miller’s presence will propel their defense to new heights and they’ve paid dividends in Game 1. The Bills’ defensive front is both imposing and explosive, with plenty of depth. No, there is not too much weakness in this team!
If the Rams did not know that everything would have to be redone, they know it this morning. They will need more than the brilliance of Kupp and Aaron Donald to remain among the best teams in the National. Their priority should be to better protect Stafford. Andrew Whitworth’s retirement may hurt them more than we thought.
The good news is that they’ll play 16 more games and won’t see the Bills again unless it’s the Super Bowl.