Bills 31 vs 10 Rams summary: stats and highlights of the NFL Kickoff
The Buffalo Bills started their season with a statement win over the defending champion Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night from Sofi Stadium. Josh Allen passed for three touchdowns in the 31-10 season opening win.
Bills come out hot to start season
It was the dream matchup to start the NFL’s regular season. Last year’s champions against the bookmakers favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy in February. The Rams had the difficult task of dealing with the emotions of returning to a stadium in which they won the Super Bowl seven months ago.
It could have been the celebrations or the festivities that surrounded the game, but the Rams looked a far cry from the team they were last year. Their offensive line looked a step slow, and allowed Matt Stafford to be pressured far too often. Cooper Kupp looked lonely without Odell Beckham Jr. or anyone else to add options to the passing game. And the secondary allowed far too many open receivers down the field.
The Bills on the other hand couldn’t have looked much better. There were a few bumps in the road in at times in the opening two quarters, but the Bills came out and looked like the team everyone expects them to be this season.
Allen in midseason form already
Josh Allen orchestrated a masterful, nine-play 75 yard drive to start the game. Allen spread the ball around while hitting every one of his passes on the first Buffalo series. The drive was capped off with a 26 yard strike to Gabe Davis on third down to put the Bills up 7-0.
Los Angeles’ offense looked off beat from the start of the game, and the Rams were lucky the game didn’t get ugly in the first half. Buffalo was driving down the field on their second possession with no signs of slowing until Allen put a pass right in the chest of Isaiah McKenzie, but the receiver couldn’t reel it in. The pass bounced off his hands and into the hands of Tyrell Lewis for the interception.
The Bills would turn it over two more times before halftime, which allowed the Rams to stay in the game despite accumulating just over 100 yards of offense in the first two quarters.
Bill D pitches second half shutout
Matthew Stafford didn’t post terrible numbers, but never seemed to get the Rams offense going. Almost half of his 29 completions fell into the arms of Cooper Kupp who had LA’s only touchdown in the second quarter when Stafford hit him in the back of the end zone to cut the score to 10-7.
A last second Matt Gay field goal closed the second quarter out with both teams tied at 10-10, but only one team would come out of the halftime break. Just like in the first half, the Bills came out and marched down the field after holding LA to a three-and-out on the opening possession. The Bills used the ground game as they pounded the ball down the field with Devin Singletary who ended the night with eight carries for 48 yards.
Buffalo’s opening drive of the second half ended with a seven yard strike from Allen to Isaiah McKenzie who made amends for his earlier mistake that resulted the games’ first turnover.
Buffalo nearly perfect on third down
The defense turned up the pressure in the final thirty minutes, holding the Rams scoreless and forcing two more interceptions. Josh Allen would take advantage of the stellar defensive performance by stretching the lead out to a two score game with a four yard touchdown run.
The Bills never punted the ball all night, going 9/10 on third down.
Miller gets two sacks in Bills debut
The preseason favorite for the MVP award put the cherry on top with a 53 yard bomb to Stefon Diggs for the game’s final score.
While Stafford ended the game 29/41 for 240 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions, the Bills QB was 26/31 from 297 yards, and had three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Stafford was sacked seven different times, including two from former Ram Von Miller. The defense sent a warning to the rest of the league. If they play like they did against LA, they will be a tough team to beat this year.
The Bills will head back east after a perfect performance in LA, while the Rams will have a few extra days to answer questions about the teams flat start to the season. They now set their sights on Atlanta next Sunday while the Bills prepare for the Tennessee Titans next Monday night.
The icing on the cake for Josh Allen and the Bills. Allen went 26/31 for 297 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INT.
Not many people can go toe to toe with Bobby Wagner and do what Josh Allen did on this four yard TD run.
Allen to McKenzie, who may have been responsible for the first interceptions, but made amends with this seven yard catch.
The Bills coughed up the football on a running play just a couple plays before Jackson picked off Stafford. Stafford was intercepted three times on Thursday night.
Matthew Stafford did not have a great night, and what ever numbers he did put up is because of Cooper Kupp who pulled in the first TD of the Rams season.
The game turned sloppy for parts of the first half as the Bills committed three turnovers before halftime. This one was picked by Terrell Lewis.
It didn't take Josh Allen long to find his mid season form. He was red hot from the first snap, and hit Gabe Davis for the opening touchdown of the night.
IT'S ALL OVER FROM LA!!! THE BUFFALO BILLS DOMINATE THE DEFENDING CHAMPION LOS ANGELES RAMS
On 4th down Stafford goes deep to Robinson, but the pass is overthrown and that will do it from Sofi Stadium.
On 1st and 10 fromt he 12 Stafford is sacked for a loss of six coming out of the Two Minute Warning.
Kupp with the catch and a huge run after the catch. That's a 28 yard connection for a first down and that takes us to the Two Minute Warning.
Stafford rolling right and hits Kupp for a gain of 8 yards on 3rd and 2.
1st and 10 from the LA 34.
FUMBLE!!!
Moss lost the ball and the Rams pick it up. They need more than just a couple of turnovers to get into this game with 5 minutes left.
INTERCEPTION BILLS!!!
Basham deflected the Stafford pass at the line of scrimmage and brings it down for the third interception of the game.
The Bills take over at the LA 37 with 7:00 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Henderson up the middle and he just barely picks up the first down on 4th and 1.
On 3rd and 10 Stafford hits Higbee for 9 yards and the Rams have no choice but to go for it.
Allen on the roll out and hits Diggs with the 53 yard bomb!
Stafford overthrew Kupp and that set up the long TD pass.
Allen stretching for the goal line on the touchdown run! This dude can do it all.
TOUCHDOWN BUFFALO!!!
Allen rolls left and throws a bomb to a wide open Diggs right at the goal line. He stumbled before the ball got there but ended up bringing in the 53 yard TD pass.
Bills lead 31-10 with 9:25 to go.
INTERCEPTION BILLS!!!
Stafford going deep down the middle for Kupp, but overthrew his receiver, who tipped it right into the hands of Poyer.
Bills get the ball back at their 41, up two touchdowns with 11:01 to go.
Stafford to Higbee on the out route for the first down pick up.
Stafford to Kupp on 2nd and 10 and he hits the WR for his 10th reception of the night for 7 yards.
3rd and 3 coming up, and this could be the game.
The Rams have to get moving. They need points and they need them in a hurry.
On 1st and 10 Stafford hits Powell for 10 yards.
TOUCHDOWN BUFFALO!!!
Allen takes it himself and had one man to beat and stretched the ball over the goal line as Wagner was looking to stop him at the goal line.
Bills stretch the lead to 24-10 a minute into the fourth quarter.
Allen on the keeper picks up two on first down, and then looked like he was going to run it out of the shot gun, but flipped it to Diggs who couldn't make the catch.
3rd and Goal coming up
Out of the quarter change Allen goes deep and hits Davis for a huge 47 yard gain1
1st and Goal from the LA 6 yard line.
Allen takes it on the QB keeper and he picks up a short gain of two.
That will take us to the fourth quarter! The Bills are driving looking to make it a two score game in the fourth quarter.
Allen hits Crowder on the out route and the Bills are 6/7 on third down.
1st and 10 from the BUF 44 after the six yard gain.
Allen over the middle to Crowder for the 1st down on a gain of 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the BUF 33.
Moss with a run to the left side inviting the contact and picking up 8 yards for a first down.
1st and 10 from the BUF 21.
After a false start backed the Bills up to 1st and 15, Allen tucks the ball and takes off down field for a gain of 8 yards.
2nd and 7 from the BUF 13.
McKenzie was at fault for the opening interception of the game, but made up for it on this 7 yard slant pattern for a TD.
Stafford going long, but overshot his receiver so the Rams punt it, pinning the Bills at their own 10 yard line.
Miller gets to Stafford for the second time tonight in his return to Sofi Stadium. Loss of nine sets up 3rd and 18 for the Rams.
Stafford to Henderson for a gain of 10 yards and the Rams are in BUF territory.
1st and 10 from the BUF 42.
Stafford to Kupp over the top for a big gain of 23.
1st and 10 for the Rams who went 3 and out on the first drive of the second half.
LA will start their drive from the 25 yard line looking to tie the game up midway through the third quarter.
TOUCHDOWN BILLS!!!
Allen goes over the middle to McKenzie on the slant for the 7 yard TD!.
Bills lead 17-10 after the 8 play, 58 yard TD pass.
Allen going to Singletary in the flat and Singletary dances around one defender to pick up the first down.
1st and Goal from the 7.
Diggs over the middle for a gain of 7.
2nd and 3 coming up from the 15.
Singletary with another big run of 13 yards and the Bills are moving the ball like they were early in the first half.
1st and 10 from the LA 22.
After a false start, the Bills pick up the first down on an Allen scramble. He put the hurting on Scott with a big stiff arm at the end of the play to pick up the first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 35.
Allen keeps it on the QB option out of the shotgun and picks up 7 yards.
3rd and 3 coming from the LA 38.
Singletary with a big chunk of 12 yards on first down.
1st and 10 from the LA 46.
The Rams go 3 and out on their first possession of the second half and the Bills will starts the second half from their 42. Great field position for the Bills. Let's see if they start the second half like they did the first half.
The second half is underway! The Rams take over from the 11 yard line after a very short return.
The Bills coughed up the ball on a fumble, but got it back just a couple plays later with the interception from Jackson.
New year, but nothing has changed. Stafford to Kupp is always a sure bet.
The Bills looked unstoppable at the start of the game, but three turnovers have them level with the Rams after the first half.
Stafford found Davis wide open for the first TD of the season.
The Bills have 179 yards to the Rams 106, but penalties have marked the difference. in this game. The Bills have turned it over three time.
We are headed to the half all square at 10-10.
Josh Allen is 17-20 for 153 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs
Stafford is 13/19 for 95 yards, a TD and an INT.
FIELD GOAL RAMS!!!
Gay splits the uprights from 57 yards as the clock expires to tie the game at 10-10.
Kupp is stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain and the Rams will let the clock run down and try a 57 yard field goal.
Stafford dropped in the backfield for a loss of nine yards.
2nd and 19 from the BUF 38. Timeout LA with 26 seconds left in the half.
Stafford tucks and runs for a gain of two yards which was just enough for a first down.
1st and 10 from the BUF 29 with 34 seconds to go.
Akers is stuffed in the backfield for a loss of one.
3rd and 1 coming up from the BUF 31.
Stafford to Kupp for a gain of nine on first down.
1:20 to go in the half.
A defensive holding call against Johnson on 3rd and 10 will give LA a 1st down on the BUF 40.
Stafford overthrows Kupp and he was lucky not to get picked off on 2nd and 10.
INTERCEPTION RAMS!!!
Allen tried to force it over the middle to Crowder, but Hill pulls it out of the hands of Crowder for the pick.
That pick was more on Allen's shoulders than the first one.
1st and 10 from the BUF 45.
Allen on the back shoulder throw to DIGGS who is having himself a first half.
He's got 6 catches on 6 targets. 1st and 10 from the BUF 38 and that will take us the Two Minute Warning.
Allen sacked in the backfield on 2nd and 8. Wagner introduces himself to this LA crowd with a four yard sack.
3rd and 7 coming up after a too many men on the field penalty on the Rams.
Buffalo will take the ball from their 25 after a touchback.
They have 3 minutes to move the ball, they haven't had trouble moving the ball as long as they can hold on to it.
Was there any surprise at all that the Rams' first TD of the season would come from a Stafford pass to the hands of Cooper Kupp?
What body control for the Rams WR.
TOUCHDOWN RAMS!!!!
Stafford finds Kupp in the corner of the endzone and the best WR in the league last year dragged his toes to secured the 5 yard TD pass.
10-7 Buffalo with 3:00 to go in the first half.
Henderson up the gut for a gain of two.
2nd and Goal from the 5.
Henderson on the sweep to the left side and he picks up a big gain of 18.
1st and Goal from the 7 yard line.
The Rams go for it on 4th and short after 12 yard reception.
Stafford hit Kupp, who needed help from the offensive line to get over the first down marker.
1st and 10 from the BUF 25.
Stafford is dropped for a loss of 10 after a sack from Phillps.
3rd and 14 from the BUF 40.
Stafford to Kupp on the sideline for a short gain of six.
2nd and 4 from the BUF 30.
Powell with a three yard run, and a defensive holding will give the Rams another automatic first down.
1st and 10 from the BUF 36.
Stafford hits Skowronek on 3rd and 6 to move the Rams over midfield.
1st and 10 from the BUF 45.
Is this the drive the Rams get their offense going?
Bass kicked it out of bounds on the kickoff. The Rams will start the possession from their 40 yard line.
FIELD GOAL BILLS!!!
Bass comes on for a 41 yard field goal and just sneaks it into the right upright.
Bills lead 10-0 with 8:48 to go in the second quarter.
Allen looking for Davis, but the Rams had great coverage on the Bills WR.
Allen looking for a flag, but the Bills will settle for a field goal.
Allen to Moss again, this time for a short gain of two yards.
3rd and 4 coming up from the LA 23.
Moss picks up a tough four yards on 1st down after the screen pass.
2nd and 6 coming up from the 25 yard line.
Allen finds Diggs on the sideline and he slips a tackle and charges up the sideline for a gain of 21 yards.
1st and 10 from the LA 29.
Allen has the Bilss over midfield with a strike to Davis for 10 yards.
1st and 10 from the 50
This was the first turnover of the game. Can't blame Allen for this INT. McKenzie had it in his hands and let the Rams snatch it from him.
It's the first game of the year, so mistakes are expected, but three turnovers in the first 17 minutes of the game is a bit much isn't it?
INTERCEPTION BILLS!!!
Stafford gives the Bills the ball right back after leaving his pass intended for Higbee well behind his reciever. Jackson made the pick and Buffalo will take the field from the BUF 33.
FUMBLE!!!
Cook was stripped on a run to the right side. Floyd jumped on the loose ball and the Rams take over from the BUF 36 yard line.
Allen to Moss for a gain of two yards. His only incompletion was the INT that wasn't his fault at all.
2nd and 8 coming up.
The Rams drive comes to a stop after Henderson is stopped on 3rd down for a gain of just one and the Rams are forced to punt for a second time.
BUF will have great field position after a nice return from Crowder.
Stafford hits Kupp for a gain of six yards and that will bring us to the end of the first quarter.
The Bills dominated the opening 15 minutes, but a McKenzie mistake gave Stafford and the Rams back.
Henderson stopped at the line of scrimmage to start the Rams possession off the turnover.
2nd and 10 from the LA 24.
INTERCEPTION RAMS!!!
Allen put it right in the chest of McKenzie who bobbled it and it was intercepted by Lewis at the LA 24 yard line.
Allen and the Bills were marching down the field and the Rams look like they had no answer to the Buffalo offense, but the give away gives the Rams a big break.
A short pass to Knox turns into a big gain after a horse collar tackle brings the Bills to the LA 32 with a 1st and 10.
Allen spreading the love to everyone. He hits McKenzie with a 12 yard pitch and catch on the left sideline, and the Rams are getting it from all angles.
1st and 10 from the BUF 48.
Crowder on an 11 yard catch and run after Allen hit him in the flat.
1st down from the BUF 36.
Allen hits Diggs on third down, and what a reliable weapon Diggs is for Allen who is constantly looking for his WR over the middle on 3rd down plays.
Donald announces his presence with a sack on Josh Allen.
3rd and 4 coming up from deep in BUF territory
Singletary starts the second Bills drive with a gain of 7 yards.
2nd and 3 from the BUF 16.
The Rams drive comes to an end right around the 50 yard line after Stafford was sacked by former Ram Von Miller for a loss of 8 yards.
Buffalo will get the ball back from their 9 yard line.
Stafford to Higbee on the screen for a 10 yard gain and a first down. LA is right around midfield.
Davis was wide open on the opening TD of the season.
Stafford on the first pass of his season on 3rd and 7, and who else does he find but Kupp?
The Rams receiever won the WR triple crown last year, and gets his season started with a 23 yard reception.
Henderson gets the first hand off of the Rams night, and he picks up 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the LA 23.
Powell brings the kick out of the endzone and gets to the 17 yard line, so the Rams will be starting with a long field to open their night.
TOUCHDOWN BUFFALO!!!
The Rams bit on the play action and it left Davis wid open down the field for the 26 yard TD on 3rd and short.
7-0 Buffalo after a 9 play, 75 yard TD drive.
Allen showing a blend of both his mobility and acuuracy as he gets out of the pocket and hits Moss for a 9 yard gain leaving 3rd and less than a yard.
Allen back to Diggs over the middle and he picks up 12 yards on the catch and run.
1st and 10 from the LA 35.
Allen and the Bills moving the ball with ease, this time he dumps it off to Singletary for another first down.
1st and 10 from just inside LA territory.
Singletary gets the first rush of the night and picks up a gain of seven yards.
2nd and 3 from the BUF 45.
Allen tucks and runs for the first time this year and picks up the first down with a eight yard run.
1st and 10 from the BUF 38.
Allen going to the air on 1st down and he hits Diggs for a short pick up of 4 yards.
2nd and 6 from the 29
THE NFL SEASON IS UNDERWAY!!!
The Rams won the toss and differed so the Bills will start the season from the 25 yard line after a touchback.
Tinashe just performed the National Anthem, and then The Rock came out for the official introduction to the game, just like last year in the Super Bowl.
The Rams have just taken the field, and we are just minutes away from kicking off the NFL SEASON.
Buffalo are the favorites to win it all
The Bills were 13 seconds away from the AFC Championship last year, but the Chiefs were able to march down the field and kick the game-tying field goal as time expired. The year before the Chiefs topped the Bills in the AFC Championship in a shootout that also went to overtime. The Bills will have to get through the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals this year.
Buffalo is in unfamiliar territory coming into the season as the favorites, but tonight's game isn't too unfamiliar
Tonight's odds
According to Bet365.com, the Buffalo Bills are a two point favorite and the Over/Under is set at 52. I like the Billls to come out strong tonight and start their season off on the right foot. A home game to kick off the season after winning a Super Bowl can be tricky buisness. Take the Bills at -2.
Old vs. New for Miller
Von Miller was one of the key parts of the Los Angeles Rams’ title run last year, and the Bills will be hoping he plays a similar role this season in Buffalo. He was brought to Sofi in the middle of last season, and made an immediate impact on the defensive end of the ball. The Bills scooped him up after Miller won the Super Bowl in February, and will be seeking the same success the Rams had with Miller on the edge.
Keys to tonight's game
Expect plenty of points tonight from SoFi Stadium as two of the top offensive teams from last year square off to kick off the regular season. Jennifer Bubel has all the insight as she preview's the NFL season opener. Full details here
By the way, if you're looking to watch on Amazon Prime, they don't start Thursday Night Football coverage until next week. Full details.
Stafford looking for a repeat
In his 13th year in the NFL, Stafford looked as sharp as ever, passing for 4,886 yards, 41 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while completing 67.2%. After years of underwhelming seasons in Detroit, he not only led the Rams to the playoffs but won his first Super Bowl on LA’s home soil after the franchise put all their chips on the table to bring the Lombardi Trophy to LaLa Land.
Allen for MVP?
Josh Allen had a season to remember last year, and is entering this season as the frontrunner to win NFL MVP. Allen passed for 4,407 yards, and had 36 touchdowns to and only 15 interceptions while completing 63.3% of his passes last year. The Bills gunslinger tops Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes as the bookmakers favorite to win his first Most Valuable Player award.
LA's last season
The Rams went all in on their 2021 season and it paid off tenfold. Sean McVay and the front office in Los Angeles brought in Matthew Stafford to lead a potent offense of Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. to a 12-5 regular season. They won seven of their first eight, but lost three in a row and went into a mini crisis as many around the league called them soft. After playing the weakest playoff opponent in the Arizona Cardinals and crushing them, the met Tampa Bay and just hung on for a thrilling 30-27 win. San Francisco was waiting in the NFC Championship, and the Rams were able to hold off the Niners to get to the Super Bowl. Stafford and the Rams then edged out the Benglas in another thrilling ending to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Buffalo last seaason
The Bills won the AFC East last season after starting the season on a roll. They dropped the opener to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but them rattled off four straight wins, and had a firm grip on the division early in the season. After an 11-6 regular season, they met division rivals, the New England Patriots in the first round of the playoffs and cruise to a 47-17 win. The Chiefs were up next in the Divisional round of the playoffs and needed more than 60 minutes of football to determine a winner. They Chiefs got the opening possession after the coin flip landed in their favor and Kansas City went on to score on the opening drive to secure their spot in the AFC Championship.
We are live from Sofi Stadium
Hello everyone and welcome to Los Angeles where the Rams will start their Super Bowl defense in front of their home fans, but the Buffalo Bills will be wanting to rinse the taste of their heartbreaking playoffs loss against the Kansas City Chiefs out of their mouths as soon as possible. It’s Matthew Stafford against Josh Allen. Von Miller against the team he won a championship with last season. Bill and the Rams from Sofi Stadium in a clash of the titans to get the season started.
Bills vs. Rams live
After months of offseason, the NFL Draft, training camps, preseason games, it’s finally here. NFL Kickoff is upon us and we are getting this season started off with a bang. The defending Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams host one of the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season, the Buffalo Bills. AS English will be with you all night, with live coverage, stats, scores, highlights and analysis of tonight’s heavyweight matchup from Sofi Stadium.