Josh Allen carried Buffalo through a chaotic overtime finish Monday night, rushing for 121 yards as the Bills escaped Inglewood with a 37-34 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Greg Rousseau’s blocked field-goal attempt in overtime gave Buffalo a second chance, and Tyler Bass converted the game-winning kick after Allen powered the offense into range.
Allen, Cook fuel a ground-heavy Bills offense
Buffalo entered the game without receivers DJ Moore and Joshua Palmer, and its passing game never found much rhythm. Allen completed passes to wide receivers only four times, while Los Angeles targeted Puka Nacua more often than Allen threw passes overall.
The Bills nevertheless moved to 4-1 by leaning on a physical, low-risk approach built around rushing attempts, short screens, tight end targets and Allen’s improvisation.
- Allen ran for 121 yards, his largest rushing workload since Week 2.
- James Cook produced 111 yards on the ground.
- Buffalo converted two of seven third-down opportunities after posting conversion rates above 58% over the previous three games.
- The game featured six lead changes.
With the score tied late in regulation, Buffalo took possession with about seven minutes remaining and used 5:35 of clock before reaching the red zone. The Bills scored with 1:39 left, aided by Allen scrambles of 15 and 21 yards on the drive.
Matthew Stafford answered quickly, guiding the Rams downfield in roughly 90 seconds to force overtime. Stafford repeatedly attacked Buffalo’s short coverage, an especially difficult assignment after cornerback Christian Benford and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson left injured.
Rousseau block changes overtime finish
Cook’s ball-security issues nearly ended Buffalo’s night. He lost a fumble on the Bills’ first overtime possession, wiping out a potential scoring march. The turnover was one of two Cook fumbles in the game and raised his season total to four.
Cook had six regular-season fumbles in 2025, plus another in the playoffs, making the latest miscues a developing concern despite his productive rushing performance.
Los Angeles had an opportunity to win after taking over in overtime, but Harrison Mevis’ 48-yard field-goal try was blocked by Rousseau. Allen then added 32 rushing yards on Buffalo’s ensuing possession, moving the Bills into position for Bass’ deciding kick.
The result offered encouragement for Buffalo despite an uneven passing night. Allen did not need a dominant aerial performance for the Bills to survive a high-scoring road game against a Rams offense that continually found completions underneath.
Rams penalties and special teams compound loss
Los Angeles fell to 2-3 despite Stafford’s late-game response and a productive night from several skill players. The Rams’ special teams, already ranked near the bottom of the league entering the game, again played a central role in the defeat.
- Buffalo opened the game with a 70-yard kickoff return, the NFL’s fourth-longest return of the season.
- The Rams missed a 50-yard field goal during the first quarter.
- Mevis’ potential winning kick in overtime was rejected by Rousseau.
- Los Angeles committed 11 penalties for 84 yards.
- The Rams were flagged for four false starts, matching their highest single-game total under Sean McVay.
Los Angeles has accumulated 42 penalties through five games, tied for the sixth-highest total in the NFL. McVay had emphasized before the game that pre-snap and procedural errors were controllable issues requiring greater focus and concentration, but those problems remained evident against Buffalo.
Special teams instability has also followed the Rams beyond this game. The club previously replaced both its kicker and long snapper during the season, then later dismissed its special teams coordinator following a Week 16 defeat.
Adams makes history as Corum contributes
Davante Adams caught two red-zone touchdowns, scoring on receptions of four and five yards. His fourth-quarter score was his 62nd receiving touchdown from inside the 10-yard line, extending his NFL record in that category. Adams’ 87 red-zone touchdown catches rank third in league history.
Running back Blake Corum also made an impact alongside Kyren Williams. The Rams have maintained that both backs can function as lead runners, and Corum supported that view with five carries for 19 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 53 yards.
Los Angeles began the year with Super Bowl expectations but now faces an uphill pursuit in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers are 5-0, while the Seattle Seahawks stand at 3-2.
- Buffalo’s next game: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
- Los Angeles’ next game: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
