The Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams just played the thriller of the NFL season — and maybe a Super Bowl preview
The Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams needed nearly 70 minutes to decide a winner on Monday.
If we’re lucky, they’ll play at least 60 more in February.
The Bills beat the Rams 37-34 in an overtime thriller on “Monday Night Football.” The game, a clash between championship contenders and the NFL’s last two MVPs, lived up to its reputation as a seismic showdown — and may have provided a preview of Super Bowl 61.
Buffalo outlasted Los Angeles in a back-and-forth affair featuring plenty of twists, turns, touchdowns, turnovers and game-changing plays. After the teams combined for 33 points in the first three quarters, they combined for 38 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL MVP, completed 12 of 19 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was also a real bruiser on the ground, rushing 10 times for 121 yards and a score.
Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, was also sensational. He completed 40 of 54 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns – the third straight game in which he attempted at least 50 passes.
Both quarterbacks ran near-perfect offenses in the second half.
After scoring a touchdown on their final possession of the third quarter, the Bills entered the fourth leading 19-14. The teams then exchanged touchdowns on their next five trips. In the second half, the offenses combined for seven touchdowns and only two punts.
After an eight-play, 71-yard jaunt by the Rams tied the game at 27 with seven minutes, 14 seconds left, the teams exchanged some particularly classic drives.
First, Buffalo went on an 11-play, 71-yard drive that included a 21-yard run by Josh Allen on second-and-17.
Two plays later, the Bills entered the end zone with just 99 seconds left. That’s when Stafford went to work, driving Los Angeles 63 yards in just eight plays to tie the score with just five seconds left.
In overtime, the Rams won the toss and elected to defend first, a decision that quickly proved to be genius on the part of coach Sean McVay.
On the third play of overtime, Allen found Khalil Shakir for a 57-yard pass that was incredibly close to a touchdown. Shakir was racing down the left sideline when Kam Kinchens dove and barely managed to slide past Shakir’s feet, causing the receiver to fall.
The touchdown-saving tackle turned out to be huge, because on the very next play, running back James Cook fumbled.
Los Angeles took over, needing only a field goal to win, and quickly drove 50 yards to the Buffalo 30-yard line, creating a huge moment in the game. On third and five points, McVay opted to stay on the floor instead of taking a more aggressive approach to attempt a closer field goal.
The decision backfired, as Rams kicker Harrison Mevis’ game-winning 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by defensive end Greg Rousseau — much to Cook’s relief.
“I wish I had a better play and went out there and made it a lot tighter,” McVay said after the game about his third call. “I’m sick right now with myself… I’m going to regret kicking and not making a better decision… it’s my fault.”
He added: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been this angry after a match. »
After four points following the missed kick, Bills kicker Tyler Bass made a 45-yard field goal, securing the victory for Buffalo.
“That’s football. You can lose one game and another on top of the world,” Allen said of the overtime roller coaster. “That’s exactly how it happened for us today.”
The Bills improved to 4-1 with the win, remaining in first place in the AFC East.
The Rams, on the other hand, fell to 2-3, including 1-2 at home. Los Angeles has yet to win two consecutive games this season, alternating losses and victories in each of the first five weeks, which places it in third place in the NFC West.
Monday’s game was an instant classic, and a similar rematch would make for a fantastic Super Bowl. However, with this loss, the Rams will face a particularly uphill climb for these two teams to face each other again this season.
Gn sports
