INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- On a day when the Buffalo Bills' defense seemed unable to make a play, edge defender Greg Rousseau's special teams work and quarterback Josh Allen's legs carried the Bills to a win on "Monday Night Football." Allen and the Bills outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime using a throwback offense built around downhill runs, screen passes, scrambles and heaves to tight ends, with receivers DJ Moore and Joshua Palmer absent.
Allen completed only four passes to receivers, but in a game with six lead changes, the Bills emerged victorious behind James Cook's 111-yard game and Allen's 121 rushing yards. The Rams targeted star receiver Puka Nacua more times than Allen threw passes. Their efficient offense, led by QB Matthew Stafford, picked apart a depleted Bills secondary with underneath passes. Injuries to cornerback Christian Benford and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson made it harder to slow the Rams late.
Buffalo held the ball with seven minutes left in a tie game and drained 5:35 off the clock before scoring with 1:39 left. Allen's scrambles of 15 and 21 yards were key on the final regulation possession. The Rams quickly answered and forced overtime. Both teams made costly mistakes there: Cook fumbled away a Bills scoring drive, and Rams kicker Harrison Mevis had a potential game-winner blocked by Rousseau. Allen's 32 rushing yards then set up Tyler Bass for the winning kick.
The Bills (4-1) converted only two of seven third downs, a sharp drop from their recent efficiency. Cook also fumbled twice more, his third and fourth of the young season. The Rams (2-3) struggled on special teams, allowing a 70-yard kick return to open the game and missing a 50-yard field goal. Buffalo's next game is at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing