The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, 44-42.
The Bills (10-3) had a tremendous offensive effort led by quarterback Josh Allen, but they couldn’t get many stops on defense. The loss at SoFi Stadium marks Sean McDermott’s first defeat against Sean McVay in his career (2-1). Quarterback Matt Stafford and company were too much for Buffalo to handle.
The loss ends a seven-game winning streak for the Bills. Next up they have the Detroit Lions, another tough road game that will be played in a dome. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.
Here are five things we learned from Week 14’s loss to the Rams:
Special teams TD was a killer
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The Rams blocked punt touchdown in the second quarter was a killer. After that moment, the Bills were desperately trying to catch back up with the high-powered offense of LA. A touchdown on special teams can give a team a huge boost, and unfortunately for Buffalo, it went the Rams’ way in this one. The Bills have to clean up all the little details because one minor slip-up can be costly.
Lack of a pass rush
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The Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in both sacks (21st) and pressure rate (19th) this year, and in Sunday’s loss it was almost non-existent. Buffalo didn’t record a sack and only forced Stafford to throw off-platform a couple of times. They posted just a 30% pressure rate.
Stafford is a veteran gunslinger who knows how to get the ball out quickly against a zone, but the Bills will need more juice from their pass rush down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Learning moments for young coordinators
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Every game proves as something to learn from for offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, but this game stands out in a couple of areas.
On defense, Babich has a lot to review after allowing McVay’s offense to march up and down the field all game long. Wide receiver Puka Nacua seemed to be open constantly and Stafford was dealing all night. Facing a Super Bowl-winning QB-HC duo on the road is a great moment to learn from for Babich and the defense.
On offense, Brady called an excellent game, but the final drive’s failed QB sneak on first down at the goal line was questionable. It resulted in a timeout which ultimately took away the Bills’ only chance at winning. McDermott said after the game that he and Brady have discussed how to better manage that particular situation.
Hero ball still effective
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For much of this year, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen has been asked to do a bit less than in past years in terms of running and putting up big passing numbers. On Sunday, it looked like the Bills of the past few years. The offense’s success was all on Allen’s shoulders and he proved that he can still handle the load. He became the first QB in history to record three passing TDs and three rushing TDs in the same game. And, he put up 424 yards (passing and rushing) while the entire Bills team had 445 yards.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough because McVay and Stafford had an incredible game to go along with a special teams touchdown. It was certainly an MVP performance from Allen.
Milano still working out kinks
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Linebacker Matt Milano wasn’t expected to just waltz back into the starting lineup and look like an All-Pro. And, it’s clear that he is still settling in while returning to action after missing over a year of football due to multiple serious injuries.
Returning to action and immediately facing tough NFC opponents in the 49ers, Rams, and Lions isn’t the easiest task. As he becomes more and more comfortable with playing again, it will take the Bills defense to another level. Hopefully, for the Bills, they can see that happen by the end of the regular season.
On Sunday, he was the team’s lowest-graded defender that played at least 15 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
