Allen Rushes, Runs Down Clock as Bills Edge Rams in Overtime
Josh Allen ran for 121 yards and a touchdown and the Buffalo Bills outlasted the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime at SoFi Stadium on Monday, a matchup between the last two NFL MVP winners that lived up to its billing as a potential Super Bowl preview. The victory was Allen's first in overtime after seven previous losses in extra time, including the postseason, and improved Buffalo to 4-1. The Rams fell to 2-3.
Buffalo was without top receiver DJ Moore (shoulder) and Joshua Palmer (shoulder), forcing Allen to carry the offense largely on his legs and arm. He added 210 passing yards to his rushing total, including a pair of runs covering 32 yards on the Bills' final drive that set up the winning score. Running back James Cook complemented Allen on the ground, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. speedway online betting
The game turned sloppy by both teams' standards, with 24 combined penalties and costly special-teams mistakes deciding the outcome. Rams kicker Harrison Mevis missed a 50-yard attempt earlier in the game and had a 48-yard game-winner blocked in overtime, leaving him 5 of 9 on field goals this season. Buffalo also surrendered a 70-yard kickoff return that led directly to Rams points. Allen threw an interception for a third straight game - his pass was picked off by Jaylen Watson, the first interception of Watson's Rams tenure - and Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed an extra point. Buffalo was also penalized 13 times.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua set a career high with 17 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown on 21 targets, deployed by coach Sean McVay on jet sweeps, screens and downfield routes. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 40 of 54 for 383 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, a 111.9 passer rating, as Los Angeles leaned heavily on the passing game after managing just 77 rushing yards - Kyren Williams gained 49 on 16 carries, and tight end Tyler Higbee caught five passes for 83 yards. McVay's decision to run Williams up the middle on third-and-5 from Buffalo's 30 in overtime, rather than target Nacua again, preceded the blocked field goal that ended the game.
The Rams host the Arizona Cardinals on a short week at SoFi Stadium as they try to stay in contention in the NFC West. The Bills remain on the West Coast to face a Las Vegas Raiders team seeking to snap a two-game losing streak.
