Bills expert gives scholarly insights to Week 14 matchup vs. Rams

When it comes to the Buffalo Bills and the LA Rams, there is an unspoken yet unsettling rivalry whenever these two teams clash. While the teams are not annual opponents, there is enough history between these two teams in recent years to sustain a level of anxiety and anguish for Rams fans. And that is proven by the recent history between these two teams. The Rams have not beaten the Buffalo Bills since returning to Los Angeles, California.

The last victory over the Bills was handled by the Saint Louis Rams in 2012. The Rams football team's overall record against the Bills is 5-9. That's not very good, considering just how successful the Rams have been in the history of the NFL.

The Rams have struggled against the Bills of late, losing their last two games. Beyond losing games, the team even lost the chance to extend veteran OLB Von Miller after he aided the team in claiming the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI. But it was the Bills' offer that lured Miller to sign with them.

The Buffalo Bills trounced the Rams in Week 1 of 2022, a game that proved to be a harbinger of bad things to come. The Rams lost that game by a score of 31-10, and would go on to struggle with a 5-12 finish. thankfully, the Rams have already won six games, so there is no chance of history repeating itself.

We had an opportunity to pose some questions to Brandon Ray, Site Expert for Buffalo Down this week to offer some insights from the Bills in the days leading up to this game.

Bills vs. Rams Week 14 insights

1.) Which under-the-radar Bills player could become an x-factor for the Bills against the LA Rams?

(Buffalo Bills) defensive end A.J. Epenesa is on no one's radar and he should be. The Bills have a solid pass-rusher in Greg Rousseau but Epenesa is that rotational player who can create an impact off the edge. He is constantly near the ball and he is quick enough to shed the block and help collapse the pocket.

2.) Much was said about the Buffalo Bills projected to struggle in 2024 after losing key veterans. But the Bills team seems to be better than ever. Excluding QB Josh Allen, who on offense and defense have stepped up their game to lead the team to this surprising success?

Ah, yes. The doubters are silent and Bills fans couldn't love it anymore. We all know that Josh Allen is the MVP of the team, and even of the league right now. However, he's not the only one making an impact. On offense, running back James Cook has proven himself to be the best back for the Bills since LeSean McCoy. His ability to be shifty and also serve as a solid pass-catching back put him in the conversation as a top-ten back in the league. With already 12 total touchdowns on the year, Cook has been nothing but exciting for Bills fans to watch.

As for the defense, it's Greg Rousseau by a mile. His pass-rushing skills have grown immensely and he is fighting for a massive contract extension in the next year or two. He is fast off the ball and what makes him special is his ability to rush the quarterback, but also meet the running back in the backfield for a loss of yards

3.) The Bills have clinched the AFC East Division in just 12 games. Do you see that as a plus or minus in terms of how well-prepared they may be in postseason competition?  Could the Rams catch the Bills in a trap game?

You could consider this a trap game for the Bills, but the Rams are no pushover. Despite being 6-6, the Rams are still a physical football team and the Bills usually get off to a slow start. Don't get me wrong, clinching the AFC East in 13 weeks is beyond impressive. However, they have only one true statement win and that was against Kansas City (who has been in a slump themselves). The Rams will be a big challenge for the Bills more than fans think.

4.) The Bills seem to be getting tremendous production from lesser-known players. Is this simply a matter of younger players stepping up? Or did the team need to shed veterans to give younger players a chance to shine with more snaps?

It's a matter of younger players stepping up. While the memories of Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde Tre'Davious White, and Stefon Diggs are missed a little, the Bills have been able to put those great memories behind them and create their own this season. The "next man up" mentality is something that Sean McDermott has emphasized since coming to Buffalo and it hasn't been a problem. One player that has really shined is wide receiver Khalil Shakir. It took Joe Brady taking over as the offensive coordinator for Shakir to become Mr. Reliable for Josh Allen. In the slot, Shakir has been nothing short of great, and very rarely does he not catch a pass coming his way.

Thanks to Bradon Ray, and to Buffalo Downs, for the great insight. And as always, thanks to our readers for taking time to check in on the LA Rams.

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