Bills vs. LA Rams: Prediction and Odds for Week 1: SB preview?

The LA Rams host the Buffalo Bills for the opening game which signifies the start of the 2022 NFL season. And this one is a whopper. The LA Rams are the reigning Super Bowl Champions, and the Buffalo Bills are the odds-on preseason favorite to claim that title this year.

Of course, the Buffalo Bills are hard to root against, as the team has been one of the best ever in NFL history to never hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Their shutout in Super Bowl contests is 0-4.

But that does not mean that the LA Rams should knuckle under to help out a pal. The LA Rams have had a taste of NFL Championship success, and the team is a bit addicted to it. And as far as streaks go, the LA Rams have a streak of their own to consider. The team has not lost a season opener under head coach Sean McVay and has no plans to do so this season.

Bills vs. LA Rams Odds Week 1

According to FanDuel, the Buffalo Bills remain a 2.5-point favorite in the opener. The Bills’ moneyline is at -126 while the Rams are the underdogs at +108.

The over/under for the game is set at 51.5.

You can find the Bills vs. Rams injury report here.

Bills vs. LA Rams: Prediction Week 1

It’s tough to ignore the fact that veteran free agent outside linebacker Von Miller followed the money, signing with the Buffalo Bills after just a partial season with the LA Rams. He joins a league-leading defense and propelled casual NFL fans and pundits to line up to sing the praises of the Bills. But don’t be lured into disaster.

The LA Rams are a hearty bet as a home underdog, particularly over the past two seasons. In ten games where the Rams were considered the underdog, the team emerges as the victor six times. In the strategy of setting odds to make the outcome a 50/50 proposition, the Rams’ 60 percent success factor is a pretty good track record.

But what about when the team is a home ‘dog? It gets better, as it has only happened twice and on both occasions, the Rams have won outright.

It’s tough to view this season without a little bit of apprehension. Most loyal fans know the strengths and weaknesses of the Rams roster but have only heard the strengths of the Buffalo Bills team. That could lead someone to think that the oddsmakers have it right.

I don’t think that they do.

The LA Rams ended their campaign by beating a hot-handed AFC team in SoFi Stadium in a come-from-behind nail-biter. That momentum will carry over in this one. The Bills have the passing/running of quarterback Josh Allen, the receiving skills of WR Stefon Diggs, and the rushing combination of RB Devin Singletary and rookie James Cook. For the most part, the book on each of these players is well established.

The LA Rams are a bit of an enigma in this one. While everyone knows that QB Matthew Stafford will look for his favorite target, WR Cooper Kupp, all night, the more dangerous receivers in this one could be a combination of tough catching Allen Robinson coupled with the blazing speed of Tutu Atwell.

The Rams have been awfully secretive about the running game, leading me to believe that the team’s running backs have been far more effective than we’ve been led to believe.

I am concerned that the Buffalo Bills may enter halftime with a lead, but the LA Rams know that they are in any game with Stafford under center.  Look for the Rams to get surprising production from unlikely places to seal the come-from-behind win.

I like the Rams to win this one and expect a Rams 31 Bills 24 final score.