The Bills hype train has been rolling all offseason.
With a win to open the season, they showed signs of why that’s been the case.
On a night where the Rams raised their championship banner from winning Super Bowl LVI, the Bills came to SoFi Stadium and defeated Los Angeles 31-10 — and it easily could have been more lopsided.
At times, the play was sloppy from both sides. The Bills had three turnovers in the first half, though they led to just three Rams points. L.A. quarterback Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions and was sacked seven times, as his team’s offense struggled to find consistency. The score was tied at 10 after two quarters.
But in the second half, the Bills controlled the ball and the clock and pulled away to start the season 1-0.
Though receiver Isaiah McKenzie dropped a pass that ended up as an interception in the first half, he scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. Josh Allen fired a 7-yard pass to him on the right side that put Buffalo up 17-10.
Receiver Gabriel Davis also picked up where he left off in last season’s divisional round, catching a 26-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter. He then caught a 47-yard pass to start the fourth quarter that set up Allen’s 4-yard touchdown run.
Allen’s score capped a physical 13-play, 89-yard drive that took 6:44 off the clock and put Buffalo firmly in control of the game with 13:27 remaining in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Stafford attempted a no-look pass down the field to Kupp. But it went off the top of his hands and into the waiting arms of safety Jordan Poyer for Stafford’s second interception of the night.
Allen and Diggs removed doubt when they connected on a 53-yard touchdown on third-and-4 with 9:25 left in the contest.
Allen finished the contest 26-of-31 passing for 297 yards with three touchdowns and two picks. He also led the Bills with 10 carries for 56 yards with a TD.
For good measure, defensive end Boogie Basham tipped a Stafford pass to himself to give the Bills their third interception of the night. But the Bills didn’t score when running back Zack Moss fumbled in the red zone.
While Los Angeles’ defense came up with a few takeaways, the team generally had trouble stopping Buffalo’s offense. The Bills started the game 9-of-10 on third down and were averaging 7.3 yards per play after Diggs scored his touchdown.
Per Bills PR, Buffalo set a franchise record with seven sacks in a season opener. The previous record was six against Minnesota in 1994.
Thursday’s game was the first Rams’ season-opening loss of the Sean McVay era. The Rams will be back at SoFi Stadium to host the Falcons next week.
The 1-0 Bills will get to enjoy a long weekend and an extra day of rest before hosting the Titans next Monday night.
This is why the NFL needed the Bengals in the SB last year. KC would’ve destroyed LA, just like Buffalo did.
Wow. The Rams got embarrassed at home in prime time. Bobby Wagner has lost 10 steps. Not looking good. Will they even win their division?
Well at least they covered the spread.
Something something, Rams were being disrespected. LOL
Buffalo has some work to do. To many turn overs
Dominating performance. Wait until this team hits mid season form. Buffalo, Blue collar powerhouse.
Josh Allen is the best football player in the world today.
Stafford has Kupp tunnel vision. Offense didn’t look good at all. Maybe a few series in the preseason could’ve helped? Buffalo needs to establish/find a running game before Allen gets injured.
Best QB in football. Best D in football. Deepest roster in football. Titans watched this and are not focused on week one because they know theyre losing week two. Best fans in football.
Buffalo will demolish that division.
Rams with Donald and Miller = super bowl. Rams without Miller = division winner.
Pitch and catch for Allen. An easy Bill win over the champion.
And the Bills STILL haven’t punted….
Most mediocre, forgettable Super Bowl winner ever. A dreary waste of everyone’s time.
The Bills look good. Week 1 is a time for overreactions – but they look really good.
Not a single punt from Buffalo
When you don’t know how to use Robinson and leave your best RB mostly on the bank except for blocking this is the result. McVay better rethink his tactics or they will be no 2 or 3 in the division.
Division Champ Bills destroy SB champ easily, run away with division again.
Pending watching Lance play Sunday. If he looks good nfc west it’s the niners to lose.
Looks like the division runs through Buffalo this year.
That’s what happens when you refuse to run the ball against a superior roster. The rams didn’t even try to run the ball, if they’re truly this one dimensional, they’ll be lucky to make the playoffs as a wild card team.
On the other hand, are the Bills trying to get Allen killed? I don’t care how big & strong he is, he’s not lasting the season taking some of the unnecessary hits he took. QB draw up 21 with 5 minutes left not towards the sideline? Are they insane? I get the guy is not fragile but teams will tackle him low & it won’t end well if he’s getting popped every time he runs the ball and I can’t imagine there’s a more talented roster out there.
Looks like the rams are just another 1 season dynasty .
Stafford could have had 5 or 6 picks tonight. He was abysmal. That O-line looked terrible as well. They were lucky to not lose by 40.
Beat. Down. The Scams were always pretenders, the stars aligned last year
Bills looked great. I know it was just one game, but that was the Matthew Stafford I saw a few times over the years.
Bills fans already putting them in the Super Bowl
good thing you threw all that $ at Aaron-Rodgers-Donald
I wonder who would win in a competition, Madden saying “Brett Favre” or Collinsworth saying “Josh Allen”.
Broncos fan here… Buffalo looks like they could win it all this year. Glad Von Miller when there. Once he turns on the jets it can get scary. He gets double teamed a lot. Love watching Josh Allen play, wish Denver had drafted him over Chubb. Good luck to Bills Mafia.
Glad to see a legit football team take down the fake “champs”. And I have zero interest vested in the Rams or the Bills.
Rams playing at “home” is kind of a joke. As a Packer fan I look forward to watching and dominating yet another venue.
I am here for that gif of Ramsey letting Davis fly past him. He was really bad tonight also.
Jalen Ramsey called Josh Allen “trash”. Well, Jalen that’s “Mr. Trash” to you.
Josh Allen’s stiff arm on his first down run was so disrespectful!!
So many people concerned about Allen running the ball. He’s not a delicate flower. He’s a weapon. You use all the weapons you have in your arsenal.
Rams still using last years game plan…throw it to Kupp a bunch of times and let’s see if we win
Rams looked like the Jets against the Bills. Buffalo is going to be crazy tough this year and as a Dolphin fan come on man! We went from the Patriots domination to this potent Bills team. Congrats Bills fans, I know it’s early but clean up the turnovers and you guys can be scary. We all know you have had some bad luck and hopefully this year the Dolphins are your bad luck. So glad football is back!
Honestly if the Bills or KC had made the Super Bowl instead of the Bengals, the rams would of been demolished. AFC is so much stronger at the moment.
How will the Patriots force a punt against this defense? They no longer have J.C. Jackson or Stephon Gilmore. Hightower is also gone. I see the Bills sweeping them.
springfield says: September 8, 2022 at 11:10 pm This is why the NFL needed the Bengals in the SB last year. KC would’ve destroyed LA, just like Buffalo did.
Um, Bengals got to the SB because they won. As in defeated their opponents on the way to the SB. NFL didn’t “need” them there at all.
Stafford looked like he did for 150 seasons with the Lions. Big arm, turnover machine.
Stafford’s arm is not right. Wobbly passes. No deep passes that I recall. It’s not going to get better. Rams in a lot of trouble I think.
Wow, all the people here dissing the Rams’ championship. How many Super Bowls have any of you won? And I’m a Rams hater, but I’m not going to dis them for being the last team standing last season.
can’t believe the Rams laid down for the Bills like that..their LT was just horrible;
when you get three turnovers on a team you’re supposed to beat them..don’t see the Rams winning their division with that pitiful effort;
the Bills still have no running game, weak lines and only Von Miller who can pass rush;
they better hope and pray Allen doesn’t get it in his head to challenge too many more linebackers;
don’t see them getting past SF so easily, who have two dominant lines;
Rams feeling the loss of Whit, Odell and Von. All big losses. It is one game, but Buffalo looks the part. Only downside is that if you are up 2-3 scores and running the dude that is taking you to the promise land- on line 1 Sean is the owner. Josh took at least 3-5 hits unnecessarily, one of those could end up a knee in a game you’ve already won. Don’t be foolish. Other than that- whewwee. Lookout AFC. It’s a long season and many things have to go right for any team, but solid team in upstate NY.
This can’t be happening!
Tip of the hat to Branden Beane, Bills GM. The Bills started a 6th & 7th round pick at CB against the Superbowl Champion Rams. ( Still on their Rookie Contracts ) Jalen Ramsey had a Perfect Passer rating against him of 158.3. Worth his $ 100 Million Contract ? Maybe Not.
OBJ just made up his mind on which team he’ll be joining in November.
The Rams need another elite receiver. Same with Green Bay.
Will this be the Bills’ only appearance in a stadium that is home to a NFC West team (tonight is their only regular season game on the West Coast)? Probably not
I didn’t see a Bills punt.. I sense a trend
It seems hanging out with AT&T Lily and bragging about winning the SB made Stafford lose his focus. He looked a bit lost out there tonight.
They “needed” them there hopes to gain some interest from the west coast. No one would believe a KC/Buffalo loss to the Rams. Bengals were okay, but clearly not a SB caliber team. LA got a SB and the rams got some fluffed hype for the last 6 months. Buffalo proved what most of us already knew. AFC > NFC
So the Rams starting O and D got there first pre-season scrimmaging together under their belt. Three or four more of these and they should have the rust out of their system. Which puts them four or five weeks behind the rest of the league. Nice job there.
Why don’t more teams just double Donald like the Bills did ?
chickensalad43 says: September 8, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Josh Allen is the best football player in the world today. ———–
Probably, but today is Friday. There will be a different one on Monday, and maybe another one on Tuesday.
Stafford is who we THOUGHT he was. Course, he was that last year also when he led the league in picks. A great defense will cover up a lot; that defense didn’t look so great tonight.
This Rams team is gonna end up missing Robert Woods and what he did for them in that offense.
What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
The Rams are going to learn just how difficult it is to repeat as SB champs in this league of parody.
The Rams were not ready to play. Buffalo is for real. This is going to be an entertaining season.
World Champs on opening night in prime time at home get destroyed by a team from the opposite coast. Damn. That’s an awfully big stage to fall off of.
I don’t have a dog in this fight, but everybody getting getting too excited should pump the brakes. The 1st game, even 2, of the season are pretty much wild cards. We’ve seen this countless times before, a good team looks lousy early and then wins the next 11 of 12. That’s why I’m not too hyped over the Packers-Vikings game. If the Packers win, I would not say Division clinched, if The Vikings win, I would not crown them the new North powerhouse champions. It’s a long season.
Seven sacks without blitzing once is impressive. Organic pressure with four will always slow down elite offenses.
John Dorsey picked Baker Mayfield over Josh Allen. That guy should never be in charge of an NFL roster ever, ever, ever ever, ever, ever ever, ever again!
For all the “not single punt!” crowers….I’m pretty sure the Bills would have rather punted instead of the interceptions and fumbles.
Every losing team gets a mulligan. Lets see how they respond to their win/loss.
Impressive win, but Allen won’t make it through the season if they keep running him like that.
Springfield says: This is why the NFL needed the Bengals in the SB last year. KC would’ve destroyed LA, just like Buffalo did. ___________________________________________________ This is a different Rams team. For one thing, Von Miller is now a Bill and was playing for the other side in this game! Whitworth is gone, as is OBJ. The O line has been weakened. Miller was the biggest loss. But you can’t compare this team to last year’s team.
Buffalo supposed sloppy game is winning by 3 TD’s on the road against the Champs. WOW.
When you are a Patriots fan, and you know your team is not a threat this year and has not been for the past two either, its funny to read a half dozen articles about two teams that have nothing to do with the Patriots and both could easily beat them, and still watch their fan bases worry about the Patriots on each and every one of those articles.
Bills look in midseason form. Wonder why no Pats fans saying how overrated Allen is? Two gms like this vs NE may have Belichick thinking about hanging it up.
springfield says: September 8, 2022 at 11:10 pm This is why the NFL needed the Bengals in the SB last year. KC would’ve destroyed LA, just like Buffalo did.
That 18 second coaching meltdown by the Bills last year cost them the Superbowl.
celtyislove says: September 8, 2022 at 11:59 pm Wow, all the people here dissing the Rams’ championship. How many Super Bowls have any of you won? And I’m a Rams hater, but I’m not going to dis them for being the last team standing last season.
Still waiting on that replay on the game winning drive where the entire oline went offside except the center and nothing was called. They burned that footage while calling 3 straight marginal calls against the Bengals just to keep the Rams hopes alive.
Allen by far the best player on teh field last night.
If Josh Allen survives the season these guys are not going to lose. But that’s a big if. He / they thinks he’s indestructible, but it just takes one shot to the knee.
jameshodges says: September 8, 2022 at 11:53 pm How will the Patriots force a punt against this defense? They no longer have J.C. Jackson or Stephon Gilmore. Hightower is also gone. I see the Bills sweeping them
The Bills GM has done a fantastic job of putting together a great roster. After watching last night’s game, it shows just how much BB the GM is killing BB the Coach.
So Russ is whining that the team considered drafting Mahomes and Allen. In fact they were willing to trade him to get Allen.
I’d say that’s an endorsement for the front office since both are decidedly better than him, and younger.
mackcarrington says: September 8, 2022 at 11:40 pm So many people concerned about Allen running the ball. He’s not a delicate flower. He’s a weapon. You use all the weapons you have in your arsenal. ==============
No it’s bad risk management.
He ran late in a blowout and took hits.
If he gets hurt doing that and the Bills lose a possible SB season, come back and tell us what a weapon he is.
ANYONE can get hurt. It just will be much more damaging if it’s him.
Josh Allen is the real deal
Jalen Ramsey played worse than the TWO rookies Buffalo had in at corner tonight. Diggs completely embarrassed him. That said, if Buffalo doesn’t protect the ball properly in this game, it is even worse than that final score for LA
Josh Allen > Derek Carr is official now.
If only Cincinnati had a better offensive line, this game would have been in Ohio last night….
And Matthew Stafford has turned back from the carriage to a pumpkin again.
One of the worst teams to win a Super Bowl since the Ravens with Dilfer. Total beatdown from the Bills they look really good. I thought the Rams had a grat defense??
And it wasn’t that close
I hear wagon wheels… they are coming… there WILL be circling.
nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 2:40 am What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
——- Have you seen the difference in their build? It’s quite obvious.
BUT remember the Rams don’t play most their starters in preseason.
Remember last year GB started with a 3-38 loss after not playing their starters in preseason. They ended the year 13-4.
This was a bad loss against a very good team but I wouldn’t assume they’ll be picking first in next year’s draft yet.
That’s my Hawks’ pick after all.
bullchargerispftspam says: September 9, 2022 at 8:43 am Josh Allen > Derek Carr is official now. ——————– I wasn’t aware that there was any doubt about that
It’s always scary to see both a dominant performance against a good team AND see room for improvement. God help my Patriots this year.
Jimmypinthe416 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:23 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 2:40 am What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
——- Have you seen the difference in their build? It’s quite obvious. _______________________________________________________
What the heck does build have to do with an ankle or a knee? And obviously, you have not seen Lamar lately, 230 lbs at 6’2. Allen, 238 at 6’5″. Doesn’t matter, as I’ve been saying, we judge Lamar this way and everybody else, that way.
nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 9:42 am Jimmypinthe416 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:23 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 2:40 am What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
——- Have you seen the difference in their build? It’s quite obvious. _______________________________________________________
What the heck does build have to do with an ankle or a knee? And obviously, you have not seen Lamar lately, 230 lbs at 6’2. Allen, 238 at 6’5″. Doesn’t matter, as I’ve been saying, we judge Lamar this way and everybody else, that way.
There is a huge difference between the two players. Allen can pass…..Lamar, not so much
The turnover talk…when you don’t punt (punts are turnovers btw) you can afford turnovers. Deep in your own end, they’re killers, but otherwise, obviously they’re not good…you’re often taking points off the board, but they’re overrated when you’re not punting. When you’re punting AND committing turnovers, that’s when they become a problem. If the Bills had 4 punts and 0 turnovers, no one would say boo.
All last year I called him Pick 6 Stafford and got nothing but thumbs down. And after the SB win, you all said he was destined for the HOF. Really? However, I don’t count this game against him. Obviously, the team was rusty and he has to build chemistry with the new receivers. He will be back soon enough throwing 2 tds and 2 picks per game.
joctoronto says: September 8, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Dominating performance. Wait until this team hits mid season form. Buffalo, Blue collar powerhouse.
Unlike your Raiders and Lions, LOLOL!!!!
The big difference between Allen and Jackson is that both came into the league and had questionable passing their first year. While Allen has made huge strides in upgrading his passing Jackson has not done so, at least to the same degree. Allen will still have game if he cuts down on the running, while it’s not so clear Jackson will. And I like Jackson, but keeping it real.
Admittedly, the Rams were playing the league’s best team, but, geez, they looked extremely ordinary. The offensive line play was pathetic — seven sacks??? — and so there was no running game and worst or all for the defending champs, Stafford’s passes have lost their zip. His elbow is probably more of an issue than we thought. Add Super Bowl championship complacency into this mix and the Rams are in trouble. It’s usually foolish to base projections on one game, but after this thorough beatdown and playing a No. 1 schedule, it’s not a stretch to think they won’t win their division and won’t make the playoffs.
The Bills are the Bills. They win regular season games, but always choked in big games.
Ever since that NON CALL pass interference against The Saints in the playoffs, the Rams have been suspect as playoff “champions”. The Bills showed them up for who they really are. Not even the officials could save them this time.
Yes the Bills offense looks unstoppable. But don’t worry, Belichick will put out a blueprint on how to stop the Bills like he did against the Chiefs and the Manning Colts. It’s coming.
I was extremely impressed by Allen, his offense and the team as a whole, however I was as equally disappointed in the Rams last night. They were God awful. Had it not been for the Bills’ turnovers in the first half the rout would have been underway way before the 30 minute mark. It’s hard to argue that Buffalo won’t be dominate for another 16 games, but I do need to see them against a few more teams simply because it was game 1 and their opposition didn’t play well at all. Was it simply because Buffalo was so dominant, or did the Rams stink a bit as well?
As for all the superlatives regarding the Bills and how they are going to do this and be that, commentators may be right, but keep in mind it was one game against a team that barely showed up. No one wins a Super Bowl after one game, no matter how outstanding they were.
nhpats2011 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:54 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 9:42 am Jimmypinthe416 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:23 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 2:40 am What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
——- Have you seen the difference in their build? It’s quite obvious. _______________________________________________________
What the heck does build have to do with an ankle or a knee? And obviously, you have not seen Lamar lately, 230 lbs at 6’2. Allen, 238 at 6’5″. Doesn’t matter, as I’ve been saying, we judge Lamar this way and everybody else, that way.
There is a huge difference between the two players. Allen can pass…..Lamar, not so much _______________________________________
So, because Allen can pass, he will get injured less? Ok, got it. You hear that Jimmy G, Kyler Murray?
nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 11:40 am nhpats2011 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:54 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 9:42 am Jimmypinthe416 says: September 9, 2022 at 9:23 am nite2al says: September 9, 2022 at 2:40 am What I don’t understand is why no one talks about Allen getting injured or his longevity. He gets hit on every running play while Lamar gets out of bounds without a finger being laid on him on half of his runs.
——- Have you seen the difference in their build? It’s quite obvious. _______________________________________________________
What the heck does build have to do with an ankle or a knee? And obviously, you have not seen Lamar lately, 230 lbs at 6’2. Allen, 238 at 6’5″. Doesn’t matter, as I’ve been saying, we judge Lamar this way and everybody else, that way.
There is a huge difference between the two players. Allen can pass…..Lamar, not so much
If you’re not gonna use your assets, there’s no point of playing. I applaud both for using their legs. Ankle or knee? Really? That can happen to anyone every play. Heck it can happen to me crossing the street. I’m talking about getting hit. Josh Allen trucks linebackers. An no, I’m not even close to a bills fan.
patsfan4lifedynasty says: September 9, 2022 at 11:25 am Yes the Bills offense looks unstoppable. But don’t worry, Belichick will put out a blueprint on how to stop the Bills like he did against the Chiefs and the Manning Colts. It’s coming.
I guess you missed the 2 games they played last year that were not in a wind tunnel?
With Tre’Davious White out 4 weeks minimum, probably more, this Buffalo D could be that much better if he’s able to come back playing at his old level.
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