Quarterback Josh Allen (#17) of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP
The Buffalo Bills beat the Super Bowl reigning champions Los Angeles Rams 31-10 in the 2022 NFL season opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday.
Bills quarterback (QB) Josh Allen made this game his declaration for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award with the incredible performance of passing 26-for-31 for 297 yards and three touchdowns (TD) with two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 56 yards and one TD.
Having been known for his deep ball passes since he entered the league, Allen completed a series of short- and middle-range passes to run the Bills' offense smoothly in Thursday's game. Meanwhile, the Rams' defensive group had to stay alert to the ground threat brought by his athleticism. In the end, they failed to contain Allen on almost every front.
Quarterback Josh Allen (#17) of the Buffalo Bills passes in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP
"Limiting the hits, obviously slide and getting out of bounds, it's the utmost importance there," Allen said. "The best ability is availability, but again, when I'm called upon to do something for my team, I'm willing to do it."
"We knew how big of a deal it was for us. We knew the stage that we were on. We knew that everybody would be watching and just know to play our game," Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis said. He connected with Allen to score one TD.
"[Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey] came in at halftime and he understood that we couldn't ride the roller coaster. There was gonna be ebbs and flows of the game. And as players and as a coach, he did some great things when he came in the locker room, calmed us down and said, 'Stop shooting ourself in the foot," Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs said. He led the team in receiving yards (122) and scored one TD.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford (#9) of the Los Angeles Rams is sacked by defenders of the Buffalo Bills in the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP
By contrast, Rams QB Matthew Stafford had a very disappointing game in which he threw 29-for-41 for 240 yards and one TD but with three interceptions. Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp combined to complete 13 receptions out of attempts for 128 yards and one TD, but without Odell Beckham Jr. on the field, the Rams lacked enough offensive options to change the Bills' defense.
Stafford didn't throw during the Rams' spring workouts due to his right elbow injury, which bothered him for the whole 2021 season. Though he said he was "ready to go" before the regular season had begun, it's unclear how much he has recovered or how much he is still held back by the injury.
The Rams did a poor job of protecting Stafford as well. He was sacked seven times in Thursday's game, which cost the team 49 yards. Two of the sacks came from his former teammate outside linebacker Von Miller who joined the Bills during the offseason on a six-year contract that can be worth up to $120 million.
"I did everything I could possibly do to have success in this game, and today was fun," Miller said. "I didn't feel like I had anything to worry about. I already thought about things that possibly happen on the field. It was a great reception from everybody over there at the Ram side."
The Bills will return to Highmark Stadium to host the Tennessee Titans on their second game on September 19. The Rams will play against the Atlanta Falcons at home on September 18.