Los Angeles, Calif. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills start out the 2022 season 1-0 following a 31-10 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.
The Bills received the opening kickoff of the game and went straight to work.
Quarterback Josh Allen marched the offense down the field in nine plays and five minutes, while converting four first downs in the opening drive. Allen capped the drive off by finding wide receiver Gabriel Davis open for a 26-yard lob pass for the opening touchdown of the season.
On their opening drive of the season, the Rams were unable to create anything on the scoreboard and elected to punt. It was pass rusher Von Miller being a factor in the drive, registering his first sack with the Bills.
The Bills threw their first interception of the season at the end of the first quarter after an Allen pass to Isaiah McKenzie went through the wide receiver's hands and was picked off by linebacker Terrell Lewis.
The turnovers continued into the second quarter.
After a three-and-out from the Rams, rookie running back James Cook fumbled the ball on his first carry in the NFL. However, on the first passing play of the Rams' next drive, Dane Jackson stepped in front of a Stafford pass intended for tight end Tyler Higbee.
Following the exchange of turnovers, the Bills continued their offensive dominance driving down the field, but ultimately falling short. However, Tyler Bass converted on his first field goal of the season from 41 yards, which gave the Bills a 10-0 lead.
After a kickoff from Bass went out of bounds, the Rams capitalize on their opportunity and scored their first touchdown of the game. Stafford was able to find wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the back of the end-zone for a toe-tapping four-yard score.
On the Bills' next drive, Allen threw his second interception of the game on a pass intended for wide receiver Jamison Crowder. Rams cornerback Troy Hill was able to step in front of the Allen pass just after the two-minute warning.
However, the Bills defense came up big with stops on the following drive, forcing a 57-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay to end the half tied at 10-10.
Allen led the way for the Bills offense in the first half, completing 17-of-20 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
After a three-and-out from the Rams to start the second half, the Bills had a big first drive led by running back Devin Singletary, who 34 total yards on the drive. Allen capped it off with a seven-yard dart to McKenzie to give Buffalo the lead again, and eventually for good.
After, yet, another punt from the Rams, Buffalo converted five first downs on their way to another touchdown drive. The Bills completed this 89-yard drive in 13 plays, resulting in a four-yard touchdown run from Allen himself.
The offensive problems for Los Angeles continued as the fourth quarter went on when safety Jordan Poyer picked off a Stafford pass that was intended for Kupp.
Buffalo then capitalized, once again, with Allen showing off his arm by hurling a 53-yard pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs. That score ended up capping off the offense for the game, giving Buffalo the 31-10 lead.
Both teams committed a turnover to close out the game.
First, it was Stafford tossing his third interception of the game after defensive lineman Boogie Basham batted the ball up in the air and reeled it in. On the following Buffalo drive, running back Zack Moss fumbled the ball on a four-yard run for the Bills' fourth turnover of the game.
The Rams were unable to get anything started offensively after getting the ball back again, and ended the game with a failed drive that resulted in a turnover on downs.
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GAME SUMMARY:
First Quarter:
7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (9:56) - Josh Allen lobs a 26-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:04
Second Quarter:
10-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (8:48) - Tyler Bass' 41-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:07
10-7 BUFFALO: Rams touchdown (3:00) - Matthew Stafford throws a four-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp. (Matt Gay's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:48
10-10 TIE: Rams field goal (0:00) - Matt Gay's 57-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 6 yards, 1:53
Third Quarter:
17-10 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:59) - Josh Allen fires a seven-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Mckenzie. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 58 yards, 5:03
Fourth Quarter:
24-10 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (13:27) - Josh Allen stretches out for a four-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 13 plays, 89 yards, 6:44
31-10 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (9:25) - Josh Allen unleashes a 53-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 56 yards, 1:36
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME
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What's next:
The Bills get the next 10 days off before taking on the Tennessee Titans on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 19. Next Monday's game will mark the 2022 home opener for the Bills.
Kickoff for Week 2 is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on the official home of the Buffalo Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
