Orchard Park, NY (WGR) - The Buffalo Bills will look to get back into the win column after suffering their first loss last week when they take on the Rams in Los Angeles on Monday Night Football. In order to do that, here are my three keys to the game, plus notes and stats:
KEYS
- Be stickier
The Bills secondary has not been nearly sticky enough. Too often, receivers for the opposing offense are finding separation and making plays down the field. Through four games this season, the Bills defense ranks 27th in passing yards per game given up and 19th and passing yards per play allowed. Opposing quarterbacks have a 103.4 passer rating against the Bills defense, seventh-highest in the NFL. They simply have to be much better on the back-end Monday night when they face reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford and his weapons, including Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
- Get to Stafford early
Stafford has been getting rid of the ball quickly, averaging 2.79 seconds from snap to throw, tenth-fastest in the league. He's also thrown six interceptions, tied for second-most in the NFL headed into Week 5. Stafford has never been a really mobile quarterback, and at 38 years old, he's even less likely to escape and take off when there's pressure. He will get rid of the ball, which could force mistakes. But give him time, and he's still able to carve up a defense. Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will need to be creative to get to him early and not allow that to happen.
- Play smarter
The Bills need to play a smart football game, particularly on offense, and specifically Josh Allen. In last week's loss to the New England Patriots, Allen made a couple key mistakes that led to negative plays. But he wasn't the only one. They've also put the ball on the ground and committed too many penalties and at critical times this season. Those same kinds of mistakes will really do them in against a team like the Rams. They have to be smarter and more fundamentally sound if they want to walk out of SoFi Stadium with a victory.
NOTES AND STATS
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