The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon with a golden opportunity to take over sole possession of first place in the NFC West as the Seattle Seahawks had a bye week.
The Rams started off strong, driving down the field on their first possession, the drive stalled in the red zone though resulting in a 37-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.
The Bills responded quickly though, scoring a touchdown on a 12-play drive and then recovering a fumble by Rams running back Todd Gurley. They turned that fumble into another touchdown and suddenly the Bills led 13-3 as the Rams blocked the second extra point.
Midway through the second quarter the Rams cut the deficit to 13-6 on another field goal by Zuerlein. After forcing the Bills to punt quarterback Case Keenum led Los Angeles on an eight-play, 64-yard touchdown drive ending in a one-yard run by Gurley to tie the game with just under two minutes before halftime.
The Rams defense could not do its job right before half though, as they allowed Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor to drive his team down the field before half resulting in a field goal and a Bills 16-13 halftime lead.
Another field goal by Zuerlein early in the third tied the game at 16, but a drive later Keenum threw an interception that Bills cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman returned 41 yards for a touchdown putting Buffalo back out in front 23-16.
Another field goal by Zuerlein cut the deficit to 23-19, but that is as close as the Rams would get as Buffalo’s defense closed out the game, stopping the Rams on a late fourth down fake punt attempt. Another Buffao touchdown closed out a 30-19 victory.
Keenum threw for 271 yards and two interceptions on the day, while Gurley totals 23 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown while catching three passes for 36 yards.
The Rams found creative ways to get receiver Tavon Austin the ball, as he caught seven passes for 59 yards and rushed three times for 26 yards.
Los Angeles falls to 3-2 on the season and will travel to the Detroit Lions next Sunday.
