Los Angeles Rams (7-6) – Buffalo Bills (10-3): 44-42
Defense? This wasn't much of a concern for the Rams and Bills. The two teams engaged in a real offensive festival. A meeting full of points in which receiver Puka Nacua (12 receptions, 162 yards, 1 TD, 5 races, 16 yards, 1 TD) was sensational from start to finish. On the Rams side, Kyren Williams was also a decisive player alongside Matthew Stafford (23/30, 320 yards, 2 TD).
For the Bills, this defeat is bitter. Never far from his opponents, Josh Allen (22/37, 342 yards, 3 TDs, 10 races, 82 yards, 3 TDs) nevertheless delivers an XXL performance. The turning point of the match was certainly this punt blocked and returned for a touchdown by the Rams at the start of the game.
Buffalo nevertheless remains a serious contender for the title. For the Rams, this unexpected victory considerably increases the chances of going to the playoffs. And after beating a juggernaut like the Bills, there is reason to be confident.
Offensive festival for the Rams
The Rams strike first. Driven by a superb Puka Nacua, it was Kyren Williams who opened the scoring with a 3-yard run. The response was not long in coming on the Bills side with a running touchdown signed Josh Allen (7-7).
Los Angeles continues with a field goal. And then, completely unexpectedly, the Rams defense forces the Bills to a punt… which they block! Hunter Long recovers and goes straight for the touchdown to increase the score (17-7).
A little stunned, the Bills do not give up: Josh Allen finds Ty Johnson on a screen pass. The latter sneaks 41 yards to get back within range. But the locals are not taking their foot off the accelerator. And Puka Nacua will add six points on a jet sweep before the break (24-14).
The Bills never far away
Returning from the locker room, the Bills block while Los Angeles continues its momentum with another running touchdown from Kyren Williams. But once again, Josh Allen is not giving up. After a sensational race, the quarterback sends a 51-yard bomb into the hands of Khalil Shakir to catch up (31-21).
Except that Stafford responds almost immediately. This time he found Cooper Kupp in the paint and maintained a comfortable lead. And Buffalo picks up again with a 34-yard reception from Shakir then a one-yard touchdown run from Josh Allen (38-28).
While the Rams have to punt for the first time in the game, Sean McDermott's men take the opportunity to come back to within a touchdown gap. Carried by a heroic Josh Allen, Buffalo scores on a reception from Mack Hollins (38-35).
But Puka Nacua definitively sealed the outcome of this match with a new touchdown scored two minutes from the end of the match. Allen maintains hope with a spectacular drive which ends with a running touchdown to come back to within two points of the Rams.
However, the onside kick attempt failed and Los Angeles quietly melted the clock to claim an impressive victory. Final score: 44-42.