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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Buffalo Bills beat the defending Tremendous Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams 31-10 because the NFL season kicked off on Thursday night time at Sofi Stadium.
Buffalo Payments
After going into halftime tied at 10, the Payments — the Tremendous Bowl favourite per Caesars Sportsbook — went full steam forward within the second half, scoring touchdowns on three straight possessions, whereas forcing two punts and intercepting quarterback Matthew Stafford twice within the second half alone.
Regardless of two first half interceptions — certainly one of which bounced off large receiver Isaiah McKenzie — quarterback Josh Allen led the best way, finishing 26 of 33 passes (83.9%) for 297 yards and three touchdowns. His completion proportion breaks the Payments’ common season document, beforehand set by Trent Edwards in 2008. Allen additionally was the crew’s main rusher with 9 carries for 57 yards and a rating.
Promising development: The Payments defensive position appears robust, and Von Miller is not exhibiting any rust. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had by no means been sacked seven instances as a Ram earlier than Thursday night time’s recreation and with 5 gamers contributing sacks. Miller had two sacks, two quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. The group had success even with out Ed Oliver on the sector as he handled an ankle harm.
Pivotal play: The Payments began the fourth quarter with Allen connecting with large receiver Gabe Davis on a 47-yard go that set the offense up within the purple zone. Allen ran in a landing three performs later, which stretched out Buffalo’s result in two touchdowns.— Alaina Getzenberg
Underrated statistic to know: Buffalo is 20-1 within the final 21 video games the place Allen has a passing and a dashing landing.
Subsequent recreation: vs. Titans (7:15 p.m. ET, Monday)
Los Angeles Rams
All coaching camp, Matthew Stafford needed to reply questions in regards to the elbow ache in his proper arm. The Rams quarterback downplayed the harm and head coach Sean McVay mentioned Stafford was throwing the ball “glorious” throughout observe.
However within the loss to the Payments on Thursday night time, Stafford struggled, finishing 29 of 41 passes for 240 yards with a landing and three interceptions. He had a passer ranking of 63.1. The Rams had only one drive with double-digit performs — their lengthy landing drive — and Los Angeles was 6-for-13 on third down.
Troubling development: Stafford was sacked seven instances by the Payments, together with the primary of the night time by his former teammate, Von Miller. The seven sacks are probably the most sacks Stafford has taken since he was traded to Los Angeles in 2021. The Rams had turnover on their offensive line this offseason, together with left sort out Andrew Whitworth, who retired after the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl LVI victory.
Pivotal play: All week, Rams gamers talked about how robust it’s to sort out Payments quarterback Josh Allen, together with Aaron Donald saying, “He makes use of the stiff arm attempting to get that separation to get the ball away.” Los Angeles noticed that up shut on Thursday on third and 7, one play after a Payments false begin. Allen prolonged the drive along with his legs, working eight yards for a primary down and stiff-arming Rams security Nick Scott on the play. That play prolonged a drive that ended with a Isaiah McKenzie landing, which ended up being the game-winning rating for Buffalo.
Daring prediction for subsequent week: Large receiver Allen Robinson catches two landing passes towards the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, Robinson was solely focused twice towards the Payments (he had one catch for 12 yards within the second quarter), however the Rams’ offense struggled as an entire. The Rams will come out swinging towards the Falcons and Robinson would be the beneficiary. — Sarah Barshop
Underrated statistic to know: McVay had by no means misplaced a season opener or been beneath .500 in his profession as a head coach, till Thursday night time.
Subsequent recreation: vs. Falcons (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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