On Monday night, it looked like Josh Allen played well enough to win, but the rest of the Buffalo Bills let him down. But the Bills, and James Cook in particular, got a reprieve.
The Los Angeles Rams were able to win a thrilling overtime game with a field goal, after Cook lost his second fumble of the game to start overtime. But linebacker Greg Rousseau, who is having an excellent start to the season, blocked a potential game-winning field goal for the Rams.
Allen was given another chance to be the hero and he succeeded, largely with his legs.
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He led a fast-paced drive with two big points to bring the Bills within field goal range. Tyler Bass made the game-winning field goal, a 45-yarder, and the Bills rolled to a 37-34 victory to improve to 4-1.
Allen got off to a slow start through three quarters, but the fourth quarter and overtime were his. He led two long fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including one that culminated with Cook’s 5-yard touchdown run with 1:39 left in regulation. The Rams responded with a tying touchdown with four seconds left.
In overtime, the Bills got a quick 57-yard catch by Khalil Shakir, but Rams linebacker Nate Landman forced another Cook fumble that the Rams recovered.
Los Angeles was en route to an overtime victory when its special teams suffered another disappointment, allowing the blocked field goal on a 48-yard try by Harrison Mevis.
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The Rams are 2-3 after a hype-filled offseason.
Two years ago, the Bills came to SoFi Stadium and Allen made history as the first player to score three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a game. But the Bills lost 44-42 to the Rams. It looked like another disappointment from the Bills in a big game against Allen on Monday night. That didn’t happen this time.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had 121 yards on 10 carries in Buffalo’s overtime win over the Rams.
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Both teams get off to a slow start
Bills-Rams was one of the best matchups of the season on paper. It took a while for it to live up to the hype.
Both teams were out for the first three quarters. Allen was in a bit of a bad place after a torrid two-game start to the season and that continued into the start of Monday’s game. Allen’s seventh completion didn’t come until 2:45 remained in the third quarter, although that connection was a touchdown to Keon Coleman to give the Bills a 19-14 lead. Buffalo then wanted to go for the 2-point conversion, but the Bills committed a false start penalty. They opted to try the extra point instead and Bass missed it wide right. It was that kind of start.
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The Rams weren’t much better, on offense anyway. They struggled to find explosive plays, but got a couple short touchdowns from Davante Adams and Blake Corum in the first three quarters.
At the end of the third quarter, the Bills led 19-14. Allen totaled just 98 passing yards on a strangely quiet night for him. The Rams only managed two touchdowns against a struggling Bills defense.
It looked like Monday night’s game might be a dud between two fun teams, but the fourth quarter was effective. And we also had overtime.
Rams trade bills and scores
The first three quarters weren’t pretty but the end was a great battle between two talented and fun teams.
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Puka Nacua scored a nice over-the-shoulder touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter, then the Bills responded with a long drive that ended with a sneak touchdown by quarterback Allen and a 2-point conversion by Dalton Kincaid. The Bills led 27-20.
Then it was the Rams’ turn. Matthew Stafford took his team down the field for an Adams touchdown and a game-tying game. Ultimately, a game between the two teams that exceeded Super Bowl ratings heading into Monday night’s game provided some drama.
Allen is always good for highlights and he started to get hot. He picked up a big third down with his legs near midfield and got inside the 20-yard line on a solid 17-yard pass to Shakir. The Bills lost a few yards, but Allen then rushed for 21 yards on second-and-17. That earned the Bills a big first down that limited the Rams’ chance to respond to whatever score Buffalo got. Cook scored with 1:39 left, but the Rams had just one timeout left.
That was enough time for Stafford to put together a scoring drive. Stafford picked up chunks of yards and the Rams were inside the 20-yard line with 42 seconds left. LA got to the 1-yard line and allowed a lot of time to expire, but Kyren Williams saved another debate over clock management by scoring with four seconds left to send the game into overtime.
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The Bills started quickly in overtime, with a 57-yard pass to Shakir. Kamren Kinchens made a touchdown-saving tackle, barely tripping Shakir who hit an NFL season-high 21.89 mph on the play, according to Next Gen Stats.
On the next play, Landman hit Cook’s ball for the second time in the game and Aaron Donald fell on the fumble.
Stafford got the Rams started with a nice pass before being hit for 21 yards by tight end Davis Allen. Nacua caught a 21-yard pass to bring the Rams within field goal range. But Mevis’ basket was blocked and the game continued. The Rams’ special teams continue to be a big problem.
The Bills got a quick overtime and the field goal for a win.
Rousseau has been important to Buffalo’s defense, and his special teams play Monday night could be huge for Buffalo’s season.
Ryan Young
Ryan Young
What a night from Josh Allen. He rushed for 121 yards, which marked the second most of his career.
It was also the first time he won a game in overtime in his NFL career. Before tonight, he was a remarkable 0-7.
Ryan Young
Buffalo wasted no time. Tyler Bass hits his field goal from 45 yards and the Bills beat the Rams in overtime!
What an incredible match in Inglewood.
Ryan Young
Josh Allen just rushed for 19 in the first, then got another 13 yards to the left to put the Bills within field goal range. He rushed for over 120 yards that night.
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We’re not done yet! Tyler Mevis had a 48-yard field goal attempt blocked at the line, so the Bills have a chance here!
Wow.
The Bills will have 4:11 to score here.
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Puka Nacua with yet another catch, and the Rams are suddenly within field goal range here.
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Nate Landman just took the ball perfectly out of James Cook’s hands, and the Rams will take over! This is Landman’s second forced fumble tonight.
What a turn of events.
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Khalil Shakir almost reached the end zone on second and long. A 57-yard gain works and puts the Bills almost in the red zone.
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The Rams won the toss and elected to kick, so the Bills will get the ball first in overtime.
Here we go.
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It is such a good finish. The Rams drove the entire field in 95 seconds, and Kyren Williams scored it with just five seconds remaining.
What. A. Game.
We will head towards OT.
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James Cook has just hit from 5 meters, and the Bills regain the lead!
They now lead 34-27, but Matthew Stafford has 1:39 to work and just one timeout. We’ll see if it’s too much time…
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Josh Allen now has 89 yards rushing and puts the Bills in first position to score. The Rams have no answer for him on the field.
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Josh Allen rushed for a big third down to keep their drive alive, and he found Shakir for a 17-yard gain a few plays later.
The Bills have the ball at the Rams 26-yard line with just two minutes left.
Ryan Young
Ryan Young
Davante Adams found the end zone for the second time tonight, and we now officially have a shootout.
It’s an easy score from 5 yards out, and it’s tied again with 7:14 to play.
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Tyler Higbee gets the Rams moving again after this 30-yard gain. He totaled 83 yards on five catches and the Rams were back in scoring position.
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Josh Allen had a 22-yard run earlier in the drive, then capped it with a 1-yard scoring drive to get the touchdown himself.
The Bills also got the 2-point conversion. They now lead 27-20 with 11:28 left.
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Matthew Stafford threw one perfectly to Puka Nacua in the corner, and he managed to bring it back with just enough space for landing. What a catch.
The Rams attempted a 2-point conversion, but Stafford was sacked on the attempt. So they lead 20-19 now at the start of the fourth.
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The Bills still lead late in the third, but the Rams look to first and goal as we return.
They drove that last drive and are looking for what would be the fifth lead change of the night with a touchdown.
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Blake Corum is coming off a career-high 34 yards and a run, and the Rams are moving quickly here.
CJ Gardner-Johnson is down and is also guarded after the play.
The Rams are now up 15 behind the Bills with 55 seconds left in the third.
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