INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In a thrilling contest on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams triumphed over the Buffalo Bills with a score of 44-42, marking the Rams’ first victory against Buffalo since 2012 and their first ever at home since 1983. This win came as the Rams halted the Bills’ impressive seven-game winning streak, despite an extraordinary performance from Josh Allen.
Allen delivered a remarkable game, throwing for 342 yards along with three touchdown passes, and he added another three rushing touchdowns while accumulating 82 rushing yards. His six total touchdowns set a new NFL record for the most in a single game, with him becoming the first player ever to achieve three passing and three rushing touchdowns in one outing. He capped off his remarkable performance with a one-yard touchdown run, narrowing the game with just one minute left on the clock.
The Rams, now with a record of 7-6, recovered an onside kick thanks to Ronnie Rivers and successfully ran out the clock. The high-scoring match saw a total of 902 yards of offense generated between both teams, with the Bills setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a loss at 42. This rare occurrence marks only the 22nd time in NFL history that a team scoring over 42 points has ended up on the losing side.
Hunter Long made headlines for the Rams by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown, showcasing their impressive special teams and contributing to their ongoing push in the competitive NFC West race. Receiver Puka Nacua shone with an outstanding 12 catches for 162 yards, while Kyren Williams contributed two rushing touchdowns, helping the Rams maintain a lead throughout most of the game. They entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable 38-21 advantage before the Bills attempted a comeback.
Despite the fierce effort from the Bills, who rallied with a touchdown pass from Allen to Mack Hollins, Stafford skillfully led the Rams on a critical drive that consumed valuable clock time, including a crucial completion to Tutu Atwell on a fourth-and-5. Following Nacua’s touchdown, the Bills had a chance to tie the game after drawing a pass interference penalty, but they ultimately ran out of time to capitalize on the opportunity.
The Bills struggled early on, yielding 24 points in the opening half and falling behind significantly after Cooper Kupp’s touchdown catch late in the third quarter. While the Rams had periods of inconsistency throughout the season, they showcased their ability to dominate against a formidable opponent like Buffalo, exemplified by their efficient offensive performance where they gained at least 65 yards on all five of their solid drives in the first three quarters while converting 10 out of 11 third-down opportunities.
In the early moments of the second quarter, Jacob Hummel blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown by Long, marking a historical moment for the tight end who had been acquired from Miami the previous year in a trade for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. This was the Rams’ first blocked punt since 2018, while the Bills had not allowed a blocked punt touchdown since the 2021 season opener.
Injury updates indicated that the Bills were dealing with several player setbacks, including cornerback Rasul Douglas, who suffered back and knee injuries, along with defensive end Casey Toohill, who had a rib injury. Meanwhile, tight end Dalton Kincaid and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman remained sidelined for the game. For the Rams, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson also sustained a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
Looking ahead, the Bills will be facing off against the Lions next Sunday, while the Rams are set to take on the 49ers in a Thursday night clash.