Just two weeks ago Rex Ryan looked like a fool and many had him pegged as the first coach to lose his job. Fast forward to the present and Ryan is looking like a genius who has transformed the Buffalo Bills back into the thick of the race in the AFC. Jeff Fisher was also high up on that coach’s list after a dreadful showing by his Los Angeles Rams in the opener, but L.A. has reeled off three straight victories and knocked off the top two projected teams in the NFC West. Riding winning streaks, the two collide in a Week 5 matchup.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 5 game is set for Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 4:25 p.m. ET at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Buffalo Bills +3
Los Angeles Rams -3
Over/Under 40
Odds Analysis
The Rams should be taken seriously after knocking off the Cardinals and returning home after two straight road wins and three straight overall. Buffalo responded to a pair of losses to open the season and has saved its season, but the Bills are primed for a letdown after knocking off the Pats and then travelling across the country to face a hot L.A. team. The total is low but the under is well within reach for teams that struggle to score touchdowns.
Injury Report
Sammy Watkins – Buffalo’s biggest offensive threat was placed on injured reserve and is out for the next several weeks. That gives the Bills time to work around his departure, but the offense, particularly the passing game, will be affected. Without their downfield threat, the Bills could have a tough time moving the football against L.A.’s solid group of defenders.
William Hayes – One of the Rams’ top defensive linemen, Hayes missed the last game with a sore ankle. His absence on the end of the line will give Buffalo something to plan for in the running game. With Watkins sidelined watch for LeSean McCoy and Tyrod Taylor to expose that area of the defense with sweeps and off-tackle plays.
Matchup to Watch
It’s hard to imagine the Rams sitting in first place in the NFC West with a 3-1 record that includes wins over the perceived top teams in the division. And the Rams have rattled off three straight without the assistance of Todd Gurley, which makes what the team has accomplished that much more fascinating. This was a team that looked like the worst in the league after a season-opening shutout loss in San Francisco, but the Rams have responded behind a stingy defense that forced five Arizona turnovers, amassed three sacks, disrupted the Cardinals’ offensive game plan and eventually knocked Carson Palmer out with a possible concussion.
The Rams’ defense has carried them during their winning streak and will face a Bills team that ranks 28th in total offense and 30th in pass offense. Buffalo scored just one touchdown in its win over New England and the poor offensive showing was overshadowed by an uncharacteristic poor effort by the Patriots. Don’t take anything away from the Bills defense – pitching a shutout in the NFL isn’t easy. But the Bills offense is still a work in progress under new coordinator Anthony Lynn.
Free ATS Pick
Who would have guessed the Rams would run off three straight wins by beating the top teams in the NFC West in Seattle and Arizona? What makes L.A. scary is that they’ve done it without much help from Gurley, who’s been bottled up all season. Team’s key on stopping the offensive rookie of the year from last season and the strategy has worked. Gurley is averaging less than three yards per carry. But the Rams have adjusted, showing a big play offense behind Keenum and Brian Quick.
The Rams defense has been as good as advertised and the unit has the speed to contain Taylor if he’s able to break the pocket and extend plays. Buffalo will miss Watkins in this game and the offense will have a hard time producing touchdowns. This likely comes down to a field goal fest and two of the best kickers in the game will battle it out. The Rams will get the better of the outcome and cover the spread in a game that falls below the projected total.
NFL Odds: Rams 20, Bills 16
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