The Los Angeles Rams held on for a thrilling 44-42 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 14 despite an MVP-caliber effort from Josh Allen, who was responsible for six total touchdowns.
The Bills signal-caller completed 22 of his 37 pass attempts for 342 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 82 yards and scored three additional touchdowns on the ground.
“A lot of different things that took place throughout the course of that game, but that’s an excellent team. You see Josh Allen is an alien. Some of the stuff that he can do and the things that he can create, we knew he was capable of that,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the game.
“He’s shown that. It’s why he is as well respected and regarded in this league as he is. It’s all deserved and earned.”
Allen did a lot of his damage in the pocket, which forced the Rams to start applying more pressure as the game went on. That’s when Allen found more success with his legs, making him one of the toughest quarterbacks to game-plan against.
“It’s such a fine line. I thought he did a great job moving. We had some movements up front where you’re trying to have some “cover me’s” and different things like that, but if you leave a gap open, he’s going to step up,” McVay said.
“He can extend and keep his eyes down the field or he can run away from you. He can break tackles. He’s a nightmare to defend and so it’s a balance. I don’t think you can just sit back and let him navigate the pocket. He can beat you from the pocket. He can beat you with his mind. He can beat you with his arm. He can beat you with his legs. That’s why he’s a legitimate MVP candidate. He’s one of the best players in this league. But we were searching for some different answers.
“I thought we were able to… if we don’t have that penalty on fourth and 15, I think we’re off the grass. There’s a good learning opportunity, knowing the sticks. Alright, where can we put ourselves in position to be able to catch that from a little bit of depth and not be in a tougher advantage where our backs to the football on a middle run through?
“I think he’s a stud. He did a great job and I’ll have to go back and look at the film, but you could feel the things that you’re talking about and those were the big points of emphasis and they’ll continue to be as we move forward. He is a unique player for sure.”
Puka Nacua: Rams ‘connecting on all cylinders’
The Rams’ win over the Bills was their third in the last four games. They are now back over .500 with a 7-6 record and only one game behind the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West.
Puka Nacua has been a big part of that success, catching 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, as well as a rushing touchdown against the Bills on Sunday.
The second-year wideout said after the win that the Rams are clicking on all cylinders for the first time this season.