INGLEWOOD, Calif. Josh Allen finally has his first career overtime victory, and it couldn’t have been crazier.
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime Monday night at SoFi Stadium. Allen threw for 210 yards and rushed for 121 more, but the real hero was defensive end Greg Rousseau, who blocked Harrison Mevis’ 48-yard game-winning field goal attempt in OT.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Allen ripped off runs of 19 and 13 yards in overtime to set up Tyler Bass’ 45-yard game-winner
- Rousseau’s critical block exposed the Rams’ special teams woes once again
- Rams coach Sean McVay blamed himself afterward: “I regret that conservative play call. I’m sick about it”
- Matthew Stafford threw for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Puka Nacua set a career high with 17 catches for 138 yards
The first three quarters were a slog, with Buffalo leading just 19-14. Then the fourth quarter exploded five straight touchdown drives between the two teams, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Stafford found Kyren Williams on a 1-yard rushing score with 4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
The extra period started as a nightmare for Buffalo. Allen hit Shakir for 57 yards to move into Rams territory, but on the next play James Cook had the ball punched out by Nate Landman, and Los Angeles recovered. The Rams drove to the Bills’ 30-yard line, and Mevis lined up for a 48-yarder that would have ended it.
Rousseau burst off the right edge and got a fingertip on the ball blocked.
“That’s the beauty of football, you get another opportunity,” Allen said afterward. “You’ve just got to keep going and hope somebody on defense or special teams makes a play, and Rousseau did.”
Buffalo didn’t waste its second chance. Allen picked up 32 yards on two runs, and coach Joe Brady sent Bass out for a 45-yard attempt on second down. Bass was already celebrating as the ball sailed through game over.
McVay didn’t hide his frustration in the postgame press conference: “The kicking game, our extra points and field goals it’s not good enough. It cost us the game.”
The Rams fall to 2-3, while the Bills leave Los Angeles at 4-1. If this was a Super Bowl preview, a February rematch would be worth the wait.
