Spending the offseason on a high after winning Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams begin a title defense on Thursday Night Football when they take on the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the Rams being the reigning champions, the Bills are currently the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl this year. Led by superstar quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo certainly has the talent and depth to make a run but Los Angeles is one of the few teams in the NFL that can match them in all three phases of the game.
The Rams have their work cut out for them if they want to overcome the Bills, but if they play their style of football, they should be able to kick off the 2022 season with a bang.
Rams Offense vs. Bills Defense
There are several new faces who will be starting for the Rams, but the most exciting one is Allen Robinson.
Robinson has been plagued by poor quarterback play during his professional career, but being paired with Matthew Stafford gives him a new opportunity to show the league he belongs among the elite.
The offensive line situation will be a key thing to watch out for as well, with Andrew Whitworth now retired and Austin Corbett on the Carolina Panthers. Stepping into their places are Joe Noteboom and Coleman Shelton, who each have shown well in training camp so far.
The Bills’ secondary is the weakest part of their defense, but up front is an entirely different story now that former Ram Von Miller is coming off the edge. Protecting Stafford will be key in ensuring the Rams are able to get their offense clicking.
Rams Defense vs. Bills Offense
Buffalo’s offense starts and ends with Allen, who is one of the best passers in the league. But his large frame and athleticism make him a nightmare in the open field as a runner as well. His ability to do both will need to be at the forefront of the defensive game plan, though that’s no easy task with pass catchers like Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis to contend with.
Jalen Ramsey is healthy and ready to go, and he is expected to resume his role in the “Star” position. That means guarding Diggs and Davis could fall to players like Troy Hill, Robert Rochell and David Long Jr.
Aaron Donald will surely see a steady stream of double and even triple teams, so it’s important for the pressure off the edge to come through. Leonard Floyd will be key in that regard, though the question is which of the young outside linebackers steps up.
Keys To Victory
1. Establish the run game early
It’s tempting for head coach Sean McVay to always want to throw the football, but establishing Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson on the ground is a good way to keep Buffalo’s defense honest. Both backs will be active, so McVay needs to utilize both to set up the rest of his offensive attack.
2. Contributions from the young role guys
The stars will do their thing on TNF, so the game might ultimately come down to the younger role players for the Rams. Players like Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell are in for elevated roles after Van Jefferson was ruled out, while defensively Justin Hollins and Terrell Lewis will rotate in and out of the opposite outside linebacker spot.
Each player has made strides during camp, but it’s time to see what they look like when the lights are shining brightly.
