BILLS (2-2) VS. RAMS (3-1)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 714
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Scott Kaplan
Sparked by LB 18-tackle performance, Buffalo continued its rebound from a 0-2 start by shutting out AFC East opponent New England 16-0. It was the Bills’ second win at Gillette Stadium since it opened in 2002. “God, it feels good to finally get a win here,” Bills coach said after his first victory in New England in eight seasons as head coach. “Been close about six times. Finally won one. It was great.” Ryan’s defense did what it needed to do against third-string rookie QB Jacoby Brissett, sacking him three times, forcing a fumble and limiting the Patriots to one third-down conversion in 12 attempts. QB threw for 246 yards and a score and added 28 rushing yards. WR played well in the absence of injured WR Watkins, catching seven passes for 89 yards.
About the Rams: Coach team finds itself tied atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks after coming back to upset the Arizona Cardinals 17-13. The Rams’ third consecutive victory was fueled by the defense, which forced five turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter. WR returned a punt 47 yards to set up the goahead touchdown, a 4-yard pass from QB
to WR with 2:41 remaining. LB and DB
secured the win with interceptions on the Cardinals’ final two possessions. Barron has picked off a pass two weeks in a row. Keenum threw for 266 yards and two scores and didn’t have any turnovers while improving to 6-3 as the Rams starter. The Rams running back Todd Gurley has seen his numbers decline in his second season.
Rams have beaten the Cardinals and Seahawks, the two favorites to win the division.
A year after finishing with a franchise-record-low 21 sacks, Ryan’s defense is dialing up the heat. The Bills have 13 sacks, putting them on pace for 52, and should be aided this week by the return of suspended DT
Keenum has been steady in his role as a game manager, but he’ll be strong-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
ly tested by Ryan’s exotic blitzes.
A year after rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie, Gurley has struggled. Through four games, he has averaged 2.6 yards a carry, 2.2 yards below his 2015 average. He has 216 yards, 350 below his production in his first four NFL starts. Teams definitely are keying on him. Most of his yards have come after contact.
That’s the point differential this season for the offensively challenged Rams.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Run revival: Coach Anthony Lynn’s promotion to offensive coordinator before Week 3 has reinvigorated Buffalo’s ground game. The Bills have averaged 171 rushing yards the past two weeks, 96 above their average the first two games. Credit Lynn, the offensive line, Taylor and RB LeSean McCoy.
2. Third-down conversions: Buffalo converted 47% of its third downs vs. New England, 19 percentage points above its previous season average. Los Angeles is 12-for-27 its past two games after going 6-for-27 its first two games.
3. Spread the wealth: Taylor targeted eight different receivers Sunday, an indication that he is seeing the field better. In the absence of Watkins, his top targets will continue to be Woods, McCoy and TE The Rams rank 23rd in pass defense with a per-game yield of 275 yards, so there will be opportunities.
Scott Pitoniak