Sometimes, when everyone keeps saying something, everyone might be right. The betting favourites for the Superbowl in Buffalo took a while to pull away, but the win over the Rams was never really in doubt. Let’s look at some of the big takeaways from Thursday’s season opener.
Allen keeps evolving:
New OC Ken Dorsey didn’t miss a beat with Josh Allen, as the Bills mixed a solid run game with quick hitting short passing that picked apart the Rams’ secondary all night. Allen’s accuracy and quick release neutralised the deadly pass rush from Donald and Co. His control over the whole field and the use of all of his weapons is the next step for Allen. The turnovers will still come, but if this is a rusty, early season Bills offense, watch out AFC!
Allen keeps getting hit…and hitting back:
The offence is still very dependant on Allen’s athleticism, and of course you want to “change the math” by using his legs, but #17 took some big, unnecessary hits. Nothing would crush the hopes and dreams of the Bills mafia like seeing their QB go down on a scramble when they are up three scores in the fourth quarter. That said, is anyone more dangerous inside the 10 when they tuck it and put their head down?
The Rams line is bad:
The front four of the Bills were in the backfield all day, and the running game couldn’t get things moving. Poor Stafford was smashed all night, and the Bills didn’t bring any additional pressure. I didn’t see Stafford’s elbow as a huge issue, but you have to believe that he can’t keep taking this punishment. The Rams have a pretty soft early part of the schedule, and hopefully the guru McVay can’t get their blocking sorted before San Francisco and Dallas in weeks four and five.
LA Defence a step behind:
Josh Allen is a tough ask for any defence, but it seemed that the usually fast Rams front just couldn’t make anything happen. The Bills’ quick game threw them off, and if this is a formula that works, I could see other teams employ it as well. Aaron Donald is a beast in the middle but needs to fight through consistent double teams that quick passing can nullify. The secondary is going to have to play much better for the Rams to enable their pass rush to dominate.
Cooper Kupp is all-world:
Despite the overall disappointing performance from the Rams O, Kupp just continues to produce. His YAC ability and smooth route running have him consistently piling up the targets, catches and yards. The Bills gameplay obviously focused on stuffing the run and forcing underneath passing, but Kupp always gets his. I still believe Allen Robinson can be a factor, but Matt Stafford was under siege all game and couldn’t get consistent chemistry with the talented receiver.
Odell in the house; Von’s house:
Beckham in LA to receive the Lombardi with his former teammates probably lends itself to the worst kept secret in the NFL: he will be a Ram sooner rather than later. And the return of Von Miller to LA went exactly as he would have planned. The man just wins-whether matchups or Super Bowls.
Next time on Ignorant Takes, I’ll break down the rest of Week 1. Football season is back baby!
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