Buffalo Bills Overwhelm Los Angeles Rams in Regular Season Opener

The Buffalo Bills ruined a Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl party at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles Thursday night. After an extended celebration that included a championship banner reveal and a Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson appearance, the 2021 Super Bowl champion Rams were taken to pieces by this year's Super Bowl favorite Bills, falling down three scores in the fourth quarter and never recovering.

The Rams struggled badly on the offensive side of the ball all night. Stafford looked every bit the problem passer who accounted for 15 turnovers and 23 sacks over the final nine games of the 2021 regular season. The quarterback threw three interceptions to go along with seven sacks as the team fell behind a hopeless 21-points in the fourth quarter. The Rams clearly missed the secondary threat at wide receiver that Odell Beckham provided last year; free agent addition Allen Robinson II was held to a single catch for 12 yards, and no receiver but Cooper Kupp accounted for more than 40 yards through the air.

Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Former Los Angles Rams linebacker Von Miller proved an immediate difference maker for the Bills, notching two of the team's seven sacks and leading a Bills defensive front that harrassed Stafford and the Rams running backs all night. The Bills held the Rams to a mere 2.89 yards per attempt on the ground and 191 net yards passing through the air. With Miller's addition, the Bills defense looks like an improved unit over the one that led the league in yards allowed and points allowed last year. Combine that with quarterback Josh Allen leading the offense, and the Bills have the look of a powerhouse.

Speaking of Allen, he contributed a typically dominant game through the air and the ground, piling up 297 pass yards, 56 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. He also led the Bills to an amazing 9/10 on third down conversions. Only turnovers could spare the Rams from a worse beating; the Bills gave the ball away four times, including three times in the first half. Should they rid themselves of their sloppy play, the Bills may very well deliver on the hype that has made Allen a popular pick for this year's MVP.

The Rams will have every opportunity to right the ship after tonight's embarrassing effort; following a long rest, they play the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday. The Bills meanwhile will have a chance to assert themselves as an AFC favorite in a game against last year's number one seed Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. 
 Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports