Things you might have missed from the Rams’ 30-19 loss to the Bills
Here are a few things you might have missed from the Rams’ 30-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum:
FIRST QUARTER
Every play on the Rams’ first drive, which resulted in a field goal, was either handed to or passed to Todd Gurley or Tavon Austin.
The Bills had to overcome an errant snap, a penalty, a first-and-15 and a third-and-19 to score their first touchdown.
Rams receiver Kenny Britt had to turn defender to knock down a Case Keenum pass that would have been intercepted. The Rams ended up getting a first down on the play when roughing the passer was called on the Bills.
SECOND QUARTER
Austin made a play called for a run up the middle look like a punt return when he bounced outside twice, the second with a scissors-kick stride, to run nine yards to the one. That set up Gurley’s one-yard touchdown run.
THIRD QUARTER
Gurley looked like an escape artist when he set up a Rams field goal. The Rams needed three yards for a first on third down. Gurley ran outside but had just one blocker, Greg Robinson, in front of him and two Bills defenders. Somehow Gurley ducked under and between all the arms to get a first down. The drive stalled after that, but Greg Zuerlein followed with a 54-yard field goal to tie the score at 16-16.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor had former USC star Robert Woods wide open for what would have been a long score, but he overthrew the receiver, who had beaten E.J. Gaines by at least five yards.
On third down, even though the Bills’ Lorenzo Alexander was lined up directly in front of Rams guard Jamon Brown — subbing for injured Cody Wichmann — the linebacker ran untouched to sack Keenum when Brown inexplicably jumped to his right to double-team another defender.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Rams’ first five drives of the second half started inside their 20-yard line.
Keenum had a streak of 13 passes that were caught. Unfortunately for the Rams, one was caught by the Bills’ Nickell Robey-Coleman, who returned an interception 41 yards for the go-ahead score.
On third down before the Rams’ failed fake punt, Brian Quick was wide open, splitting the zone on a post route. Keenum didn’t spot the receiver, however, and his pass intended for Lance Kendricks fell short of the mark. Even if the pass had been complete, it would not have been enough for a first down.
Go beyond the scoreboard
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