Another Hollywood ending? Why the Rams could stun Josh Allen and the Bills on Monday night

The Playbook

Hollywood loves a good comeback story.

So do the Los Angeles Rams.

After three quarters of offensive ineptitude in Philadelphia, the Rams rallied with a fourth quarter resurrection that would have made Rocky Balboa proud.

And now the Rams have a chance to prove their comeback over the Eagles last week was no fluke when former NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills come rolling into town for a showdown on Monday Night Football.

Buffalo arrives at SoFi Stadium at 3-1 and looking to rebound from their first loss of the season, a 29-26 defeat to the New England Patriots. The Rams will be waiting at 2-2, fresh off their stunning comeback that saved their season from an early spiral.

After not playing against the Eagles, reinforcements are on the way, as Aaron Donald and Jaylen Watson are expected to return to practice this week, with Rams’ head coach Sean McVay optimistic both could play on Monday.

Donald missed the Eagles game with back soreness, while Watson has been sidelined with a dislocated right shoulder since the second quarter against Denver in Week 3.

Their potential returns would provide a considerable boost to a defense that just delivered its finest performance of the season without either player or injured pass rusher Myles Garrett. The Rams sacked Jalen Hurts four times, limited Philadelphia to 93 passing yards and held the Eagles without a third-down conversion in 12 attempts. Byron Young was a one-man demolition crew, recording 2½ sacks while defensive coordinator Chris Shula consistently made Hurts uncomfortable in the pocket.

But Josh Allen isn’t Jalen Hurts, and Buffalo’s offense is significantly better than Philadelphia’s.

The Bills lead the NFL in scoring at nearly 32 points per game, with Allen, James Cook and an assortment of receiving weapons capable of turning a routine possession into a track meet. Allen has thrown for at least 245 yards in three of four games, while Cook is averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

“They have a quarterback that’s playing as well as anybody in this league,” McVay said.

Still, Allen has thrown interceptions in consecutive games, including a costly late pick against New England. The Rams must capitalize on those mistakes rather than allowing Buffalo’s quarterback to escape pressure and manufacture something spectacular.

On the other side of the field, Matthew Stafford has his own turnover problem.

Despite throwing for more than 300 yards in three consecutive games, Stafford has been intercepted in all four contests, including twice in each of his last two. That’s a dangerous habit against a Buffalo offense that rarely needs additional possessions.

Fortunately, Stafford has his favorite weapon back.

Puka Nacua returned against Philadelphia and immediately reminded everyone why he’s indispensable, recording 125 receiving yards and scoring a rushing touchdown. Kyren Williams added 80 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 10 receptions, giving McVay the offensive balance that had been missing in Denver.

Buffalo’s defense, meanwhile, has surrendered at least 29 points in three of four games and more than 250 passing yards per contest. That’s an invitation Stafford and Davante Adams should be eager to accept.

But the Rams have another problem that seems to be an annual headache: special teams.

Los Angeles ranks near the bottom of the NFL in starting field position and kick coverage, while penalties continue to sabotage promising drives. The Rams committed eight penalties for 100 yards against Philadelphia, and Harrison Mevis missed another field goal.

Those mistakes are irritating against ordinary opponents. Against Allen, they’re potentially fatal.
Two years ago, the Rams survived a 44-42 shootout against Buffalo at SoFi Stadium despite Allen accounting for six touchdowns.

If things play out the way we think they will, Monday could deliver another offensive fireworks show.

The question is whether the Rams can reproduce their fourth-quarter magic for all four quarters instead of waiting until their season is hanging by a thread to play like the team that were the preseason Super Bowl favorites.

Because play like you did for the first three quarters in Philadelphia against Buffalo, and there might not be enough time for another Hollywood ending.

Marquee Matchup

Josh Allen vs. The Rams defense

The NFL’s most dangerous improvisational quarterback meets an aggressive defense that just looked the best they have all season against an Eagles team that was in the playoffs last season.

Josh Allen can beat defenses with his arm, his legs or his uncanny ability to turn a busted play into a 30-yard gain. Rams’ defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s challenge is making sure Allen doesn’t beat the Rams with all three.

Los Angeles enters Monday allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL, but Buffalo presents a different challenge than Philadelphia.

Shula must generate pressure with his defensive front without sacrificing containment, particularly against an offensive line that surrendered just one sack on 33 Allen pass attempts against New England.

Donald potentially returning gives the Rams another interior disruptor, while Byron Young’s emergence provides speed off the edge.

The blueprint is simple: Collapse the pocket, maintain rush-lane discipline and force Allen to play quarterback rather than escape artist.

Duarte’s Decision

Rams 28, Bills 27

The Rams have been flirting with disaster all season, but Buffalo’s vulnerable secondary offers Stafford an opportunity to finally make opponents pay. With Nacua healthy, Williams rolling and Donald potentially returning, Los Angeles has enough firepower to trade punches with Allen.
Expect another heavyweight fight reminiscent of their 2024 classic, with Stafford engineering a late scoring drive and the Rams defense delivering one final stop to secure the win.

Key Stat

0-for-12

The Rams held Philadelphia without a third-down conversion on 12 attempts. Repeating that defensive dominance against Josh Allen could determine Monday night’s outcome.

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