INGLEWOOD, CA. (WHEC) – The Buffalo Bills knocked off the Los Angeles Rams, 37-34, the first overtime win of Josh Allen’s career.

In a game that started both slow and sloppy, the Bills and Rams traded punches, scoring six straight touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, leading to a 34-34 tie and into overtime. The craziness continued, as James Cook fumbled near the red zone, and the Rams taking over. But L.A. would have its 48-yard field goal attempt blocked, giving the Bills life. Allen would practically do it himself on the ground and Tyler Bass was good from 45 yards out, handing Buffalo a wild win in the West.

The stats were pretty crazy – Josh Allen had 219 passing yards and one touchdown throw, but rushed for 121 and got in on a tush push. His backfield mate, James Cook, had 111 yards on the ground and two scores. Khalil Shakir led the way through the air with three catches for 80 yards, including a 57 yard gain in overtime.

But the Rams had some even wilder stats. Matthew Stafford threw for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns, finding Puka Nacua 17 times for 138 yards and one TD. Davante Adams only went for five catches for 51 yards, but did score twice.

But in the end, the stat that mattered? A Buffalo Bills win. The game lived up to the hype and the Bills get to 4-1 on the season.

FIRST QUARTER

Buffalo’s first drive: Ray Davis returned the kickoff 70 yards to the Rams’ 26-yard-line, but the Bills couldn’t move it more than just three yards, ending with a quick three-&-out for a field goal. Bills lead, 3-0.

Los Angeles’s first drive: Welp, this game is FLYING. The Rams had a 14 play for 38 yards, as Matthew Stafford went 7-for-8 on passes and they balanced it with five runs. However, after all of that and nearly eight minutes of game clock, Harrison Mevis missed from 50 yards out. Bills stay in front and take over with good field position.

Buffalo’s second drive: The Bills put together a lengthy drive of their own, running 10 plays and picking up 55 yards, nearly running out the end of the first quarter. James Cook was used often, as the Bills were eventually stopped on 3rd & 3. Tyler Bass connected for his second field goal of the quarter. Bills lead, 6-0.

SECOND QUARTER

Los Angeles’s second drive: The Rams finally broke the plane for the first touchdown of the game, with Matthew Stafford finding Davante Adams for their second 14 play drive of the half. This one went over twice as many yards, with L.A. taking the lead at home. Rams lead, 7-6.

Buffalo’s third drive: Finally, a QUICK drive. All it took was five plays for the Bills to drive 69 yards, with James Cook rumbling on home from 17 yards out for a touchdown. But the big play of the drive was a 40-yard pitch and catch between Josh Allen and Ty Johnson. The Bills’ running backs are making a difference with so many injuries to the wide receivers. Bills lead, 13-7.

Los Angeles’s third drive: It’s hard to believe the Rams might only have three drives in a single half, but here we are. And this time, it ended outside of field goal range, as they punted back over to the Bills. Buffalo takes over on its 12-yard-line with just 1:52 to go until halftime.

Buffalo’s fourth drive: The Bills had all three timeouts, yet let over a minute run off the clock after running just two plays. Then on third down, Josh Allen threw his fourth pick of the season, although, virtually the same effect as a punt.

Los Angeles’s fourth drive: For how bad Buffalo’s clock management was, the Rams didn’t exactly take advantage, not able to add any more points on the board.

HALFTIME STATS

BUFFALO BILLS

Josh Allen: 4-for-7, 60 yards, 1 interception, 3 rushes, 21 yards

James Cook: 9 rushes, 55 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 reception, 7 yards

Ty Johnson: 1 reception, 40 yards

DeWayne Carter: 1 sack, 2 tackles

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Matthew Stafford: 16-for-23, 99 yards, 1 touchdown

Puka Nacua: 5 receptions, 32 yards

Davante Adams: 2 receptions, 17 yards, 1 touchdown

Kyren Williams: 8 rushes, 25 yards, 2 receptions, 6 yards

Josaiah Stewart: 1 sack, 1 tackle

THIRD QUARTER

Los Angeles’s fifth drive: The Rams drove it inside Buffalo’s 40-yard-line, but on 4th & 1, were called for a false start, destroying their chances of going for the conversion in short yardage. However, they still went for it on 4th & 6 right on the 40, and picked up the first down. It paid off, as the Rams continued the drive for a touchdown score by running back Blake Corum, going back in front after the extra point. Rams lead, 14-13.

Buffalo’s fifth drive: The Bills couldn’t do much to move the football, punting back over to the Rams down a point and halfway through the third quarter.

Los Angeles’s sixth drive: The Bills forced a three-&-out, with the Rams punting right back to Buffalo and just over a minute coming off the clock.

Buffalo’s sixth drive: James Cook took the first carry of the drive 11 yards, but fumbled the next carry. However, the Bills recovered it, lucking out based on what looked like a recovery by the Rams. The call wound up working out well for Buffalo, as Ty Johnson would have another huge gain through the air, leading them into the red zone. From there, flags would start flying, with the teams trading penalties. Eventually, Josh Allen found Keon Coleman for a touchdown, as he freed up thanks to some friendly fire between two Rams defensive backs. The Bills wanted to go for two, but got called for a false start, with them then opting to go for an extra point from 38 yards out. Tyler Bass missed that, ending a very crazy drive. Bills lead, 19-14.

FOURTH QUARTER

Los Angeles’s seventh drive: After going three & out on their previous drive, this one was a lot better for L.A. The big hit was a 34 yard reception by backup running back Blake Corum, pushing the Rams well within the red zone. Then, Puka Nacua got in one-on-one coverage with Davison Igbinosun, completely beating the rookie WR as the Rams re-took the lead. They also went for two and didn’t get it with TJ Sanders sacking Matthew Stafford. Rams lead, 20-19.

Buffalo’s seventh drive: The Bills drove it right down the field, thanks to some James Cook carries, a big Josh Allen run, and a Ray Davis screen play that went 31 yards. Josh Allen rushed in for the touchdown from a yard out and found Dalton Kincaid for a two-point conversion. Bills lead, 27-20.

Los Angeles’s eighth drive: Just like that, the Rams answer right back, and now we have had alternating touchdowns for four straight TDs total. This time it was Davante Adams in the endzone for the Rams, who tied things up on the scoreboard with an extra point. Game tied, 27-27.

Buffalo’s eighth drive: Can this game get any crazier? The Bills ANSWERED AGAIN, this time with James Cook capping off the quick drive to put his team back up by seven. Bills lead, 34-27.

Los Angeles’s ninth drive: Yes, this game CAN get crazier! Matthew Stafford had more than enough time to lead a game-tying touchdown drive, and he did JUST that, with Kyren Williams rushing in from a yard out and five seconds left. Game tied, 34-34.

Buffalo’s ninth drive: Greg Dortch returned the kickoff to the 25-yard-line and regulation is over.

OVERTIME

Buffalo’s 10th drive: They hadn’t done much until now, but Josh Allen and Khalil Shakir hooked up on a 57-yard-gain to the Rams’ 22-yard-line. But on the next play, James Cook fumbled for the second time of the game, this time losing it to the Rams.

Los Angeles’s 10th drive: Taking over with 7:54 to go in overtime, the Rams continued to pick up yards and first downs, getting within field goal range for Harrison Mevis. Mevis had an attempt from 48 yards out for the win but the kick GOT BLOCKED BY GREG ROUSSEAU AND THE BILLS HAVE LIFE!

Buffalo’s 11th drive: The Bills took over with more than enough time left to put together a patient and extended drive. But Josh Allen wanted none of that, ripping off two straight runs of 19 and 13 yards. A couple of plays later, Tyler Bass made a game-winner from 45 yards out and the Bills win! HOW CRAZY!! Bills win, 37-34.

PREGAMEBuffalo Bills game day basics:Teams: Buffalo Bills (3-1) and Los Angeles Rams (2-2)Date: Mon., Oct. 12Time: 8:15 p.m.Location: Sofi Stadium | Inglewood, CANetwork: ESPN/ABCGame preview

The Buffalo Bills are coming off their first loss of the season and will look to bounce back in a big way when they take on the league’s preseason favorites, the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Neither team has quite looked as good as their offseason projections. The Bills struggled mightily on defense through the first two weeks of the season while the offense looked great during that stretch. But after lighting up the scoreboard for 36 and 41 points against the Texans and Lions, respectively, Buffalo’s offense has looked muted against the Chargers and Patriots.

As for the Rams, they’re about as close to average as a team can be with a 2-2 record and +2 point differential. Both sides are desperate for wins as a loss for the Rams would put them below .500 and a loss for Buffalo more than likely gives the Patriots an early lead in the AFC East standings.

Years past

Buffalo leads the all-time series 9-6

LA won their last matchup, 44-42, during the 2024 season.

Buffalo is 3-2 over their last five games together.

Player to watch: Maxwell Hairston

There was a lot that went wrong for the Bills against the Patriots, but the secondary looked the ugliest of all. It hurt Jim Leonhard’s defensive backs when starting cornerback Christian Benford was ruled out with a toe injury, thrusting Maxwell Hairston and Davison Igbinosun into the starting roles opposite of one another.

In his first start, Igbinosun held his own, albeit while giving up the game-sealing touchdown despite providing great coverage on New England’s Efton Chism III. His second-year counterpart, Hairston, was in coverage for the two other receiving touchdowns and was unable to make a play at all as Buffalo’s defense desperately needed any stop.

Benford’s health for Monday is up in the air, but whether or not he plays, it’s safe to say that Hairston is once again going to be asked a lot of, especially considering LA’s incredible duo at receiver in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Predictions

Cailey Thalman, Sports (3-1): Rams – 31, Bills – 27

Ian Mills, Sports, (2-2): Rams – 31, Bills – 24

Mat Mlodzinski, Sports (2-2): Rams – 34, Bills – 24