Predicting the Buffalo Bills record against the NFC West in 2020

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks evades the Buffalo Bills defense at CenturyLink Field on November 7, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks evades the Buffalo Bills defense at CenturyLink Field on November 7, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Bills
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams calls a play during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Luckily, the Bills will get to stay in Buffalo for their matchup against the Rams rather than lose a day of game preparation by traveling across the country to Los Angeles. In a game against a schematic genius like Coach Sean McVay, that extra time for preparation should pay off in a big way.

The most obvious obstacle in this game for the Buffalo Bills will be Aaron Donald, and specifically keeping him from penetrating the offensive line into the backfield. Since entering the league, Donald has never missed the Pro Bowl in his career and has only missed the All Pro team once, his rookie season.

In addition to Donald, the Rams also have premier lock down Cornerback Jalen Ramsey who will likely be manned up against recently added Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. For the Bills offense to be successful in this game, expect the running game to step up as well as fellow wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley.

As for the other side of the ball, the Rams cut star running back Todd Gurley, but the Rams filled the void left by Gurley quickly by drafting Cam Akers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. More importantly, the Rams passing attack is still deep even with the departure of Brandin Cooks, which is threatening to a Bills defense that lacks depth at the cornerback position.

After Tre’Davious White, it is uncertain who will be the major contributors to coverage responsibilities on defense. Levi Wallace has made solid contributions to the cornerback room during his time in Buffalo, but the Bills just added Josh Norman this offseason. However, it’s questionable just how effective Norman will be in first season with Buffalo and what kind of role he will have in the defense.

If the Buffalo Bills are to come out of this game with the win, it will likely be dependent on a couple turnovers. Buffalo will have to apply pressure to Rams quarterback Jared Goff consistently through the game in order to disrupt the Rams offensive game plan. Unfortunately, the Buffalo defense will be responsible for too much to anchor this game down for the Bills and Donald will be too disruptive to the Bills offense. Thus beginning their season at 0-1 against their NFC West opponents.

Prediction: Loss (0-1)