Rams’ offense puts together explosive performance to top Bills
Helmets are seen at a tailgate gathering prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams guard Justin Dedich (67) leads teammates onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford talks to his daughters prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, top center, scores a touchdown on a keeper against the Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates his first quarter touchdown with teammate wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
The Buffalo Bills offense, left, lines up against the Rams defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams safety Kamren Kinchens, center, breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen works out prior to an NFL football game against the Rams, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams running back Kyren Williams, center, reacts while scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, center, scores a touchdown on a keeper against the Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Rams players celebrate a touchdown by running back Kyren Williams (23) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is hit by Rams linebacker Jared Verse during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook runs with the ball against the Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, front, is brought down by Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches the ball over Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Rams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Rams, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua reacts following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 44-42. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 44-42. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen speaks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Rams, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 44-42. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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Helmets are seen at a tailgate gathering prior to an NFL football game between the Rams and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
INGLEWOOD — All season, the Rams have waited for the moment in which every piece of their offense clicked into place.
When Kyren Williams could bully his way down the field behind a punishing offensive line. Matthew Stafford could take advantage of the attention that draws from defenses and pick apart a secondary with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
That moment materialized against, of all teams, the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, as the Rams (7-6) won 44-42 and flashed the potential expected all summer but missing the previous 13 weeks.
A week ago, the Rams’ offense was effective if one-dimensional behind a strong performance by Williams. The running back carried that success over into Week 14. The 29 carries for 87 yards don’t jump off the page, but he picked up third downs and scored twice on the ground.
And unlike against the Saints, Williams’ success opened up the passing game this week. Stafford threw for a season-high 320 yards while completing 23 of 30 attempts. And that balance allowed the Rams to convert 11 of 14 third downs while scoring a touchdown on five of six trips to the red zone.
Nacua, meanwhile, did a little bit of everything. Toe-tappers on the sideline. Jump ball on third down. Finding the soft spot in the zone on third down. Taking the handoff on jet sweeps, including on the first rushing touchdown of his career, and the first by a Ram not named Kyren Williams this year.
As impressive as Nacua was, Kupp had the play of the game, catching a touchdown pass against his knee in the third quarter. The Bills had just cut the Rams’ lead to 10 on the previous drive, and the veteran connection between Stafford and Kupp made it a three-possession game again.
After a season full of slow starts, the Rams were ready on the opening drive. They converted all three third downs they faced and closed the drive with Williams’ first touchdown.
In the first half, they converted five of six third downs while holding the Bills (10-3) to 1-for-4. They took away the Bills run game as Buffalo only attempted four first-half runs with James Cook. They went 2-for-3 in the red zone, and kicker Josh Karty was perfect with three extra points and a field goal.
And the special teams added more than just kicking points. Linebacker Jacob Hummel bull-rushed through a guard and blocked a punt with his elbow. Tight end Hunter Long picked up the ball and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, the Rams’ first off a blocked punt since 2018.
So we’ve gone over the efficient run game, and how that enabled the passing game to get going, and how the Rams’ season-high in points took away the Bills’ ability to run the ball. Well, for that last point, be careful what you wish for, because you’re putting the game in Allen’s hands.
And Allen was not about to go quietly, putting together a six-touchdown performance. After a three-and-out on the first drive of the third quarter, the Bills scored touchdowns on three straight possessions. On the last, Allen threaded a perfect pass to Mack Hollins on a corner route to get the Bills within three with 8:49 to play.
But a fourth-down conversion to Tutu Atwell kept the Rams alive in Bills territory. A third-down screen pass to Nacua was sprung by a block by Kupp, and the second-year receiver did the rest, taking the ball to the end zone to push the lead back to nine.
Allen wasn’t done, as two pass interference penalties against the Rams brought the Bills to the goal line. Allen snuck the ball in, but running back Ronnie Rivers recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the win.
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