Bills vs Rams: Key stories to watch in the 2022 NFL kickoff game today
We are now hours away from the NFL season opener kickoff when the Buffalo Bills travel to Inglewood, California to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions, the LA Rams.
Week 1 has finally arrived and the Buffalo Bills are traveling to the place where the Los Angeles Rams won it all last season - the Rams’ home field, SoFi Stadium. The Bills have a chance to prove right what people are saying - that they will make it all the way to the big stage this year. If they can beat the defending Super Bowl champions on the road in their season opener, the Bills will be off to an excellent start to their eight-week run of facing difficult teams.
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Kickoff is tonight at 8:20 p.m. ET and there are so many storylines going into this game, we decided to make you a list of the exciting things to watch for tonight.
Von Miller - back at SoFi from the other side
Von Miller spent 10 great seasons with the Denver Broncos, but was traded to the Rams mid-season last year. It was a win-win situation for the Rams and Miller, obviously, as they went on to win the Super Bowl together. Back in March, though, Miller signed with yet another team, and this time it was to none other than the Buffalo Bills. Miller’s impact on the Rams team was immediate and obvious. Will he have that same effect on the Bills team this season and will we see it right away in this season opener? Me thinks yes, and I can’t wait.
“Von has been giving me tips on how to be the best left tackle I could possibly be,” teammate Dion Dawkins said. “And I’ve lost countless reps and I’m thankful that I’m getting better. I’m in the uncomfortable zone where I’m using everything as growth and having Von here, it’s been amazing. He gives me all of those little tips that I’m like, ‘Oh, wow. I should have thought about that.’”
How will the Bills slow down Cooper Kupp and co.?
Cooper Kupp was the best wide receiver in the league last season, winning the triple crown after leading in all three categories with 145 receptions, 1,947 receiving yards, and 16 touchdown receptions. Not only is he a huge threat, but the rest of the Rams offense is, too. They averaged 27 points, 390 total yards, and 273 passing yards per game last season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 41 touchdowns and averaged over eight yards a pass. They’ve added a new receiver, Allen Robinson III, making an even tougher duo of receivers for the Bills defense to stop.
Lucky for the Bills, their defense is looking good too. They added DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle in the offseason and now they have Von Miller. Miller would have faced Andrew Whitworth, but since he retired, Miller will be up against the less experienced tackle Joe Noteboom.
Cooper Kupp was always open last year, it seemed. To prevent that happening, the Bills need to rely on their corners, one of whom, Tre’Davious White, is starting the season on the PUP list. Instead, Taron Johnson will cover Kupp in the slot, which is going to be an intense matchup to watch. That leaves Dane Jackson and rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford to work on slowing down Robinson.
Will Donald dominate?
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is one of several key defensive players on a Rams team just chalk full of threats. They ranked third last season with 50 sacks and 19 interceptions and allowed the second-fewest touchdowns passes at 17. Of the many defensive weapons the Rams have, Donald is the scariest.
The best hope for the Bills is that they can stop him from making game-changing plays. And they must protect Josh Allen at all costs. It’s likely that every Bills receiver and running back will have their chance to try and get past Donald at some point in the game.
Let’s not forget to make mention of how good that Bills offense also is, though. There is a reason, after all, that the Bills are being heavily tipped to win the AFC and make it to the Super Bowl this year. The last time these two teams met in 2020, it was the Bills who came out on top, 35-32, and it was quarterback Josh Allen who threw the game-winning touchdown.
“He’s one of one, I think everybody knows that,” Allen said about Donald. “It’s scary to watch the film of him, but it’s just understanding that you’ve got to go in with a plan.”
Allen can scramble, and Allen can get the ball to any player at any point on the field at any time. He’s one of the best QBs in the league right now, and stopping him is no easy feat. The matchup between him and Donald is going to be an exciting one to watch.