Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams: Three Keys to the Game

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Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Stop the Run

While this has often been a key for me each week, the Bills’ ability to stop the run is probably the most important key Sunday against the Rams.

Case Keenum is an average quarterback at best, and Los Angeles’ best playmaker on offense is Todd Gurley.

While Gurley has struggled this season, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry, he’s still the Rams’ best player on offense, and it’s not even close. The majority of his struggles can be attributed to the Rams’ offensive line’s struggles, and the Bills need to take advantage of poor offensive line play Sunday.

Even though Gurley has struggled, the Rams continue to feed their star running back the ball, with the former Georgia star touching the ball 82 times this season.

If the Bills can bottle up Gurley and force the Rams to go to the air, they’ll be in good shape. Los Angeles is 30th in the league in passing, averaging just 192 yards per game in the air. Along with Keenum, the Rams don’t have many weapons in the passing game that scare you. Tavon Austin is overpaid and Kenny Britt and Brian Quick are underutilized.

After a pair of bounce-back performances by the Bills secondary, Rex Ryan has to feel confident that his backend can get the job done again.

In fact, the play of Ronald Darby was highlighted in this week’s edition of 28 PFF Stats To Know For Week 5 by Pro Football Focus. Darby has registered four pass defenses this season, which is tied for fourth-most in the NFL.

"“Early in the season, Darby was heavily targeted, but after missing Week 3, he broke up one of the two passes thrown his way. His most difficult job against Los Angeles will be stopping Kenny Britt. Britt has only been seeing a few catches each game, but he’s coming off of an 82-yard performance. If Darby can shut down the Rams’ best receiving threat, that would help Buffalo get a road victory.” – Pro Football Focus"

As popular record producer DJ Khaled would probably put it: Stopping the run is the major 🔑 this weekend.

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