Los Angeles, Calif. (WGR 550) - Even the most optimistic of Buffalo Bills fans or analysts who thought they could win Thursday night probably didn’t envision this.
The Bills absolutely destroyed the Los Angeles Rams, in their own stadium, after they raised the Super Bowl title banner in front of a national television audience.
And if it weren’t for self-inflicted mistakes, the score would’ve been even more lopsided than the 31-10 outcome everyone saw.
Let’s get to the Arrows Up, to start:
ARROW UP:
Defensive Line
The revamped defensive line did exactly what it was brought in to do. They sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford an amazing seven times, plus held the Rams to 52 total rushing yards.
Defense overall
A very impressive stat line for the defense:
- 243 total yards allowed
- 3.7 yards per-play given up
- 2.9 yards per-run
- Three interceptions
- 10 points given up, including a second half shutout
QB - Josh Allen
Allen showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, once again doing it on the biggest stage.
The Bills quarterback completed 26-of-31 passes (83.9%) for 297 yards and three touchdowns. He was also the game’s leading rusher with 56 yards on 10 carries, finding the end zone on the ground, as well.
DE - Von Miller
The Bills' high-priced, high profile pass rusher showed off exactly why they signed him, getting to Stafford for two big sacks.
WR - Stefon Diggs
Eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Diggs was Allen’s go-to guy when he needed to make a play and he came through every time.
Diggs' huge numbers included a long 53-yard touchdown reception, beating Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Related
RB - Devin Singletary
Singletary had four runs of at least seven yards, finishing with 6.0 yards a carry after 48 on eight rushes. He added two catches for 14 yards.
WR/PR - Jamison Crowder
Crowder didn’t do anything spectacular, but he gets an Arrow Up for rewarding the coaching staff with the faith they showed in him by making him the primary punt returner and playing a solid game overall. Crowder returned one punt for 21 yards, while catching three passes for 28 yards.
Ken Dorsey
In his first game as Bills offensive coordinator, Dorsey put together an outstanding game plan and seemed to have an answer any time he needed one.
Dorsey couldn’t have scripted a better start, finishing with a touchdown after a nine-play, 75-yard drive. The play that ended it, a touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis, was a brilliant call.
No punts
For the fourth time since last season began, the Bills didn’t punt at all. New punter Sam Martin only had to hold for Tyler Bass’ four extra points and a field goal attempt.
DT - Jordan Phillips
Phillips made his first game back in a Bills uniform count in a big way, collecting 1.5 sacks and recording three quarterback hurries.
DE - A.J. Epenesa
Epenesa not only had 1.5 sacks, but led all players in the game with four quarterback hurries, as well.
Tackling
After having some issues tackling when most of the starters played a couple week ago in the preseason, the defense, as a whole, did a great job of wrapping up and getting Rams players to the ground on Thursday night.
Third down offense
The Bills were an incredible 9-for-10 on third down (90%).
Bills fans
As always, Bills fans showed up and fully represented #BillsMafia.
ARROW DOWN:
Running Allen too much
The Bills quarterback got out of the pocket and ran too many times, and also rarely got down before being hit. He took way too much unnecessary punishment.
Some were designed runs and some were Allen making the choice himself, but it was all too much overall, and especially in the fourth quarter when the Bills were firmly in control.
There was no need to keep doing it.
RB - James Cook
Not a good start to Cook's NFL career, fumbling on his very first touch, and losing it. That wound up being his only carry of the night.
Isaiah McKenzie’s drop
Allen was 10-for-10 to start the game. He could have, and should have been 11-for-11. However, McKenzie had the ball go right through his hands and into Rams linebacker Terrell Lewis’ arms.
Tyler Bass’ shank kickoff
I’m not sure exactly what Bass was trying to do other than just kick the ball a bit short of the goal line and force the Rams to return it, but he totally mishit a kickoff that went out of bounds and gave the ball to the Rams at their own 40-yard line to start their next drive.
The ball went right to me. I caught it. I have to be honest, it was pretty cool.
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